Baragoi, Kenya: Armed bandits in Baragoi Wednesday shot and injured two critically ill patients on their way to Wamba Mission Hopital in Samburu East.

The two female patients had been referred for further treatment from Lesirikan Health Centre.

The bandits are said to have stopped the vehicle near Baragoi and sprayed it with bullets.

A nurse who was accompanying the patients escaped unhurt but the bandits robbed her of valuables including Sh20,000.

A witness said he heard gunshots and rushed to the scene where he found the two women injured.

"The driver stopped but they had already shot and injured the two patients and also robbed a nurse of all her money," the Baragoi resident said.

The patients were taken to Baragoi Sub-County Hospital for treatment.

Samburu police boss Patrick Wambane termed the incident heinous and regrettable, saying security personnel had been deployed to track down the culprits.

"It is very unfortunate that such a terrible incident occurred. But the public should not panic as security has been intensified," he said.