A driver and and a passenger were shot and wounded on Saturday night when a bus they were traveling in was hijacked by thugs along Jogoo Road, Nairobi.
Several passengers aboard the vehicle were also robbed of their cash and valuables during the incident.
Witnesses and police said the gang first struck as the bus was racing along Jogoo Road towards Umoja and ordered all on board to heed their orders.
They then started to demand cash and other valuables. "They were all armed and collected valuables. Those who defied were beaten up and threatened with shooting," said a witness who survived the attack.
According to police, the gang of five had boarded the bus in the city centre while posing as customers, before they turned out to be thugs.
On reaching Umoja, a confrontation ensued, prompting one of the gunmen to shoot the driver in the jaw. The bullet went through and hit a female passenger, who was seated next to him, injuring her in the abdomen as other passengers screamed for help.
The two were later rushed to Mama Lucy Hospital where they are admitted.
The bus was later abandoned in Umoja by the gang, which escaped on foot. No arrest has been made so far.
Police said the gang escaped with more than Sh100,000 and other valuables.
They added they have been pushing matatu operators to screen all passengers who board their vehicles as part of efforts to stop crime.
"They need to ensure the passengers who board their matatus are not armed. We have posted officers at various bus stops to help in this war," said an officer who asked not to be named. But the operators have been complaining of increased attacks on their vehicles with little help from authorities.
Elsewhere, a Chinese national was burnt to death in a fire incident in Runda estate, Nairobi. Mystery surrounds the incident that happened yesterday morning as the victim was believed to have been asleep.
Police said they are yet to know the cause of the fire and investigations have been launched.
The body was later moved to the mortuary.
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