Gang attacks county workers, two injured and Sh17,000 stolen

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

Taita-Taveta, Kenya: Two Taita-Taveta County Government workers were last night shot and seriously injured by three gun-toting gangsters who raided a cess collection centre at a Taveta border town.

County Police Commander Richard Bitonga said the gangsters, believed to be operating from Kenya and Tanzania, made away with more than Sh17,000 among other valuables from the workers.

He said the workers were collecting cess at night at Darajani area in the outskirts of Taveta town when they were confronted by the robbers armed with a pistol.

When the gangsters demanded money from the workers, they resisted, forcing them to shoot.

He said one of the victims was shot twice in the stomach while the other was hit on the head with a blunt object.

“One of the victims is in critical condition at Taveta District Hospital while the other was treated and discharged,” he said.

TERRORISING LOCALS

“These criminals that have persistently been terrorising local residents escaped across the border and a manhunt for them has been launched. We are calling on members of the public to volunteer information that can lead to the arrest of these runway suspects,” he said.

This incident comes at a time when armed robbers continue to terrorise residents with impunity at the border town.

It also comes barely a week after two armed gangsters attacked and robbed a businesswoman of money and other valuables in the town.

Armed with a pistol, the gangsters robbed the woman at night as she entered her residence in the populous California Estate on the town’s outskirts.

SAME GANG

 Bitonga said the same group of robbers stole more than Sh50,000 and other valuables from the victim, who sustained serious injuries to her head following the attack

 “Our investigations have found that the gangsters waylaid the woman who was dropped at her residence gate by a motorcycle. They attacked her and stole cash before fleeing in an unregistered motorcycle to an unknown destination,” he said.

Bitonga said they suspect the gang comes from a neighbouring country.

“We will soon catch up with them,” he vowed.