NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – Eight suspected gangsters were shot dead in Nairobi within 12 hours between Wednesday night and noon Thursday in separate robbery incidents.
Police said they recovered an AK-47 rifle, a stolen vehicle and a pistol from the slain men, two of whom were described as “wanted criminals”.
Gigiri divisional police chief David Kerina said two of them were killed at about midday on Thursday when officers patrolling Waiyaki Way intercepted them as they drove a stolen vehicle.
Mr Kerina told reporters that the suspects were under surveillance for about two hours before their vehicle was stopped.
“When they realised they were being trailed, they sped off and started shooting at our officers (who) opened fire at them and unfortunately two of them were fatally wounded,” he said.
Mr Kerina said the two slain men were wanted for a series of investigations on violent criminal incidents reported at Kabete station.
Three other suspects were gunned down in Zimmerman estate where they had reportedly broken into a shop. According to Nairobi Provincial Police chief Antony Kibuchi, the three slain men were in the company of two others who fled during the shoot out.
He said they recovered a toy pistol and some other crude weapons from the burglars during the 11 pm incident.
The two other suspects were killed in a shoot out at a bar in Dandora at about 10 pm on Wednesday night.
“They were terrorising residents but our officers were able to catch up with them and two were killed. This is part of the sustained war against crime in the city,” Mr Kibuchi said.
Another suspected carjacker was killed at Karen shopping centre after allegedly carjacking a vehicle. Mr Kibuchi said they recovered a home-made gun and police communication equipment.
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