Two police officers killed, robbed of their pistols in ambush in Kayole, Nairobi

The officers were also robbed off their two firearms by the attackers who managed to escape after the incident. (Photo: Courtesy)

Two police officers attached to Kayole Police station in Nairobi were Saturday shot dead by unknown assailants in a dawn attack.

The officers were also robbed off their two firearms by the attackers who managed to escape after the incident.

According to police the bodies of the two officers were found lying on the ground within Matopeni area in Kayole by Administration Police officers from Kirima AP Camp who were tipped off by a good Samaritan after gun shots were heard in the area at around 4:00am.

The attackers were riding on a motorcycle and ambushed the constables of police who were patrolling on foot.

It is not clear why the officers decided to patrol on foot at 4 am.

The two bodies have been moved to Kenyatta University Mortuary awaiting for postmortem.

Kayole police boss Joseph Gichangi said the attackers were armed with an AK 47 rifle.

“They were shot from behind as they patrolled the area and robbed of their pistols. The attackers escaped on a motorcycle,” said Gichangi.

Senior officers said they are investigating the attack to understand why the deceased were on foot and in civilian.

“The killing weapon is not common among many thugs and it raises many questions,” said an officer.

The incident comes at a time when there is high tension in the city over politics. At least three people have been killed in political violence since Wednesday. There has been fighting in major informal settlements in the city with heavy police deployments.

For instance, there has been destruction of property in Kawangware, Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Kahawa West and other places in the city in pre and post presidential polls violence.