Police gunned down a suspected thug following a foiled robbery in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County at dawn on the eve of Christmas.
Five others escaped with bullet injuries after exchanging fire with the police during the 3.30 am robbery attempt at Tamarind building.
The incident happened hours to the Christmas Eve and most business people were believed to have locked down their premises and headed home to join their families in festivities.
Confirming the incident, Eldoret East OCPD, Richard Omanga said: “The suspects have been breaking into the business premises long Ronald Ngala Street and robbing goods from the traders.”
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He said following the latest incident, the police were able to gun down one of the suspects as five others escaped.
The suspected gangsters were reportedly masked and were armed with one having a pistol and the rest had crude weapons including pangas and also had ropes, master keys and masking tapes.
Night guards in the building noticed their presence and raised an alarm prompting police officers who were in patrol to responded swiftly and engaged in a gunshot exchange leading to the killing of one suspect.
“Our officers ran to the scene and found the six robbers breaking into the electronic shops at Tamarind building. The burglars started firing at the officers but they were overpowered,” said Omanga.
The OCPD assured residents of Eldoret town that security patrols have been intensified during the festive season to ensure that properties and lives of citizens are protected.
He further stated that the family of the suspected robber had identified him. It was also established that the suspect was using an identification belonging to his deceased brother.
“We were able to recover some documents from the shot robber which included a national ID, the information we received from relatives stated that the ID belonged to his deceased brother,” he said.
He appeals to the public and Hospitals within Eldoret to be Observant in any case they receive or see any persons with gun wounds to report to any nearest police station.
