Eight suspected muggers shot dead in Mukuru Slum, Nairobi

Esther Khirigha, a resident of Mukuru kwa Reuben, mourns the death of her son,Elisha Mwashighadi who was shot by police after he was alledged to be among the thugs who attacked revellers in a bar and tried to rob them on 20/4/16. (PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/ STANDARD)

Police on Tuesday night gunned down eight suspected muggers in Mukuru slum, Nairobi, in the bloodiest incident of its kind in recent times.

According to police, the suspects aged between 17 and 24, were part of a gang that has been attacking and robbing pedestrians.

Four guns were recovered from the suspects, police said.

Makadara OCPD Nehemiah Lagat said the Mukuru kwa Reuben gang was linked to the murder of a man.

"They mugged and stabbed a man to death in a robbery along Falcon Road on Monday before escaping into the expansive slum. The gang has been notorious in attacking and robbing residents," said Mr Lagat.

But as police celebrated their victory, tearful parents defended their children against allegations that they were criminals.

"I know my son... School was his priority. Why would the police kill an innocent person?" said the Rose Esela, mother to Nickson Obure, 17, who was among those who were gunned down. He was a Form Two student at Kwatsanze Secondary in Machakos County.

The air in her two-room house, which doubles up as her salon business premises, was heavy and stuffy, just like the pain in her heart. Family and friends were unable sooth her as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"My son left at 2.30pm on Tuesday after informing me that he would be involved in a garbage collection project during the holiday. I just asked him to take care of himself," said the mother.

Lagat said that on Tuesday, they were informed that the gang, armed with crude weapons, had been spotted heading towards Falcon Road.

Police officers, he said, had been stationed in the area to ensure that no more robberies took place.

"They (the officers) witnessed a woman being mugged. They snatched her shopping," he said.

This, Lagat said, triggered a dramatic chase that led to the killing of three suspects. Three other suspects were shot dead after a search. Later, two others were gunned down a few metres away.

Imagining the worst

Caroline Kirigha's son Elisha Mwashighadi, 24, was killed during the incident. "I almost died when I received the call that my boy had been shot. I avoided imagining the worst but that was what I was forced to accept," she said yesterday.

Jacob Mundele, Mwashighadi's brother, said his sibling had never engaged in crime. "He was just with his friends at their usual hangout joint (a video shop) when the police descended on them claiming they were thieves. I am still shocked," said Mr Mundele.

According to some of the residents who sought anonymity, his killing was a case of mistaken identity.

"In fact, one of the parents whose son was killed was the one who tipped off the police that a suspected thug had been spotted at the video shop called Hollywood. I would have taken you there but I guarantee you, I would not be seen tomorrow," one the residents said.

Police were guided by informers in the area who have grown tired of persistent attacks by violent muggers.

Witnesses said more police were called to the area and they joined the hunt for the suspects.

Still on Tuesday, police killed another suspected mugger known as Matiba, in Imara Daima, Nairobi. The officers said they were alerted that a gang of six men was attacking passengers at the Imara Daima Railway Station. The officers said that they recovered a pistol and three rounds of ammunition.