Woman among robbers killed in police ambush

By Karanja Njoroge

Nakuru, Kenya: Three suspected robbers, including a woman, have been shot dead by police in Kibunja, Molo, along the Nakuru–Eldoret highway.

The three, who were reportedly armed with an AK47 rifle, are suspected to be behind a spate of high robberies along the busy highway.

Police, Sunday, indicated that one of the robbers was a man identified as Paul Emuria who in 2011 surrendered a Mark IV rifle to Prophet David Owuor in a Nakuru crusade.

The self-confessed gangster then said he had committed many crimes and had engaged in many shoot-outs with the Flying Squad. Police sources identified the other two as Benson Nguju Kimemia and Monicah alias Njeri.

Police, who said the trio were on their way to commit robbery in Kitale, linked them to a spate of robberies, including the shooting of two Flying Squad officers in Meru last year, and the shooting of Moi university School of Law Dean.

Nakuru County Police Commander John Koki said officers have been trailing the gang after two people were found murdered and dumped by the roadside two weeks ago along Nakuru-Eldama Ravine road.

The group is said to have been terrorising motorists along the busy highway through kidnappings and robberies.

Defied orders

Koki said police had been tipped off that there were two vehicles along the highway which were intending to commit robbery.

He said the officers intercepted one of the vehicles near Kibunja and ordered the occupants to surrender but they defied the orders and started shooting. “There was a serious exchange of fire,” Koki said.

The officers also recovered 14 rounds of ammunition, a jungle hat, jacket, fake number plates and a pocket phone used by security officers.