NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives have shot dead one suspect and launched a manhunt for two others after foiling an armed robbery along Wangari Maathai Road near the Jubilee Flyover, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.
In a statement issued Saturday night, the DCI said officers from the Nairobi North Sub-Region were conducting a routine foot patrol at around 5:50 pm when they received a tip-off from a member of the public about three armed men robbing pedestrians in the Makaburini area.
According to investigators, the suspects were armed with a pistol and crude weapons and were targeting members of the public along the busy stretch.
“Acting with speed and tactical discipline, the officers moved in discreetly, blending into the civilian flow. Moments later, the three suspects emerged from nearby bushland and launched a sudden, violent assault on one of the officers,” the DCI said.
Police said the lead suspect drew a pistol and pointed it at the officer, prompting a confrontation. Officers responded by opening fire, fatally shooting one suspect at the scene.
The two others reportedly sustained gunshot wounds before fleeing into nearby undergrowth.
Authorities said a search at the scene led to the recovery of a Blow Mini 9 pistol, a magazine loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition, one round chambered, and two additional rounds recovered from the deceased suspect’s trouser pocket.
Officers from Starehe and Gigiri sub-counties, alongside Scenes of Crime personnel, processed the scene before the body was moved to City Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examination.
The DCI said operations were ongoing to track down the two suspects believed to have escaped with injuries.
“The DCI remains in pursuit of the two wounded suspects,” the agency said, urging members of the public to share information that could assist the investigation.
Police also appealed for cooperation through the Fichua kwa DCI reporting channels, including toll-free and WhatsApp lines, allowing anonymous tip-offs.
The incident adds to a series of police operations targeting armed robberies in parts of Nairobi, particularly along major roads and footpaths where pedestrians are vulnerable during evening hours.
Investigators said they were pursuing leads to identify the deceased suspect and locate the two who escaped.
Members of the public were advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as security operations continue.
