Tout shot dead in Nairobi’s Roysambu area

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: A tout was Tuesday night shot dead by unknown gunmen in Roysambu area, Nairobi prompting violent protests by his colleagues and bodaboda riders.

The matatu operators blocked the road in the area for hours demanding that those behind it be arrested.

Police and witnesses said the tout was on duty late in the night when unknown gunmen struck killing him. Police have denied they were behind the shooting.

Some of the touts said he had been arrested by people believed to be police before he was later shot dead. But Nairobi deputy police boss Moses Ombati said they are yet to know those behind the shooting.

“We were also called and informed of the shooting long after it had happened. We are yet to know the motive behind it,” said Ombati.

Anti-riot police were forced to disperse the group using teargas canisters. The protesters ducked into the estate and back in a cat and mouse game for hours. In the meantime, the main Kamiti Road was blocked.

Motorists from Kahawa West and Githurai 44 were diverted to use the Northern by-pass as the riots persisted.

The situation normalised several minutes later as more anti-riot police arrived at the scene and patrolled the affected road allowing motorists to drive to and from Thika Road.

The touts had lit bonfires on the road and blocked the route since 5am.

Businessman killed

Meanwhile, a businessman was shot dead in a robbery in his house in Nairobi’s Akila estate, Nairobi.

The victim identified as Ahmed Abdulahi was sleeping in his house with his family Monday night when a gang raided.

Police said the gang first cut a grill into his house before shooting him at close range and later escaped with household goods.

Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue said the gang seems to have targeted the victim but they are yet to know the motive behind it.

“We are trying to know the motive of the shooting which seems to have been targeting the victim,” said Kibue.

The gang later escaped using the same route after the 2am attack.