The officer was part of a team from the Flying Squad unit that engaged the thugs in a shootout after tracking them from Kibera slum where they had committed a robbery, police said.
“It is unfortunate that a police officer was killed,” a senior police officer told Capital FM News, “Four of the thugs were also killed.”
Nairobi police Chief Japheth Koome said a major security operation had been launched for the rest of the thugs who fled.
Koome urged the public to cooperate with police as they enhance security across the city ahead of the New Year festivities.
“We are getting very good cooperation from the public and we want it to continue that way,” Koome said.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, three suspected gangsters were shot dead in Nairobi’s Dandora area as police intensified security ahead of New Year celebrations.
Those killed are said to have been burglars who had tried to enter a house before residents raised an alarm.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has also urged the public across the country to cooperate with police in maintaining security, while warning against the use of fireworks without authority
“Let us all work together to secure our country,” he said, “we all have the responsibility and must always notify the police of any person or activity,”
The police chief has warned that Kenya is facing a “real terror threat” after Al Shabaab terrorists split into two—one supporting the Islamic State and the other Al Qaeda.
“We must not drop the guard because these terrorists are now competing to outsmart each other,” Boinnet said.