NAKURU: A businessman was shot dead by armed criminals in Kabazi, Subukia sub-county.

The four-member gang that was riding on a motorcycle followed Stanley Kanyeki to his home from his work station.

According to his son Dennis Kanyeki, the gangsters raided the home at around 8pm on Saturday.

"I was watching news when I heard a commotion outside the house, followed by two gunshots. I went outside and bumped into a group of four men who ordered me to get back to the house," Dennis said.

The robbers ransacked the house for valuables. They stole five mobile phones and Sh50,000 in cash.

Neighbours and well-wishers took Kanyeki to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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"The robbers were so hostile. After shooting my father, they came to the house and silenced everyone as they looked for valuables," he said.

Subukia police boss Alex Ng'ang'a and area MP Nelson Gaichuhie visited the scene after the incident.

"Police have launched investigations to arrest the suspects who are said to have been riding on a motorcycle before shooting dead the businessman at his home," Mr Ng'ang'a said.

This sparked outrage in the area and Jumatatu residents torched a house belonging to a prime suspect.

Peter Mbae, a resident of the area, condemned the killing, saying a crime wave has hit Kabazi and its environs.

"Cases of break-ins in the area are on the increase and this has highly affected business because most people are living in fear of being attacked," he said.

A report released by National Police Service shows that Nakuru County has the highest number of immorality and break-in cases.

 Nakuru recorded 344 break-in incidents followed by 319 reported in Kiambu while Nairobi recorded 279 cases.

Nakuru Police Commander Hassan Barua said a major cause of crime is high rate of unemployment and drug abuse.

"All crimes in Nakuru are attributed to unemployment, for example people travel to town where they indulge in prostitution, breakages and drug abuse," he said.

The most notorious areas include Bondeni slum while Molo, Bahati and Subukia lead in rape and defilement cases. He added that bhang is the most common illicit drug.