By CYRUS OMBATI

NAIROBI, KENYA: Gunmen shot and wounded a woman as they escaped from a failed robbery incident on Tuesday afternoon along Mama Ngina Street, Nairobi.

The female pedestrian was hit in the cheek by a stray bullet fired by the gang as they escaped from a clothes shop opposite Hilton Hotel.

According to police and witnesses, the gang had walked into the shop at about 2.40pm and tried to grab an unknown amount of money.

Central OCPD Patrick Oduma said the attendant at the shop resisted and raised alarm prompting the gang to dash out of the shop as one of them brandished a pistol.

Police officers who were manning banks at the nearby buildings like International Life House stepped out to check what was happening as the gang ran downtown.

“It was then that one of the gunmen shot and wounded a female pedestrian in the cheek as they escaped. Our officers could not fire at them because the area is usually badly crowded,” said Oduma.

The woman was in stable condition when she was rushed to hospital.

The gunmen are said to have fired at least two times to pave their escape. Scared shop operators closed their businesses when they heard the gunshots.

A witness who was in a nearby restaurant, James Onsoti said those present had to hide under the tables as the managers dashed to close the doors.

“It reminded people of Westgate attack and given there are terror threat, most of those present thought another attack was in the offing,” said Onsoti who was in the nearby Highlands Restaurant.

Oduma said no arrest has been made so far but his officers are looking for the attackers with credible information on their whereabouts.

This is the second time that a woman is shot in the same area within two weeks. Police say no arrest has been made so far in connection with both incidents. In the first incident, a woman was shot and wounded after she refused to surrender Sh600,000 she was taking to a bank. The gang escaped without stealing the money.

According to officers handling the case, the attacks are being committed by gunmen from Korogocho area and a hunt on them is ongoing.