Fourth shopkeeper killed by armed gang in Nakuru

Eias Mwambili, an MPESA shop attendant  who was fatally shot by armed robbers at his shop in Upper Hill estate, Nakuru West, on the evening of May 31, 2025. The assailants fled with at least Sh200,000. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A four-man armed gang has continued to terrorise Nakuru residents, with the number of people they have killed now rising to four in the last ten days, with several others injured.

The most recent victim, Elias Mwambili, 24, was shot on Saturday evening at his employer’s shop in Upperhill Soilo Estate in Nakuru West, where they stole Sh200,000.

“The young man was shot at around 7:30 pm as the gang robbed the shop. First responders rushed him to Nakuru Level Five Hospital, but he didn’t make it,” said Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Stephen Kirui.

The Sub County Police boss, Mr. Kirui, said that the matter was under investigation, with intensified patrols initiated across the sub-county following a series of similar robberies.

“This is a gang that we have been pursuing for the last few days. We believe it is the same group that has caused mayhem in different parts of Nakuru, and soon, we shall catch up with them,” said Kirui.

Monicah Njoki, a hairdresser at the trading centre, said that two thugs armed with machetes stormed the shop and clobbered Mwambili, who strongly resisted them.

“A third man emerged with a gun and shot in the air. He then shot Mwambili at the doorstep before they hopped onto a getaway motorcycle that was waiting by,” said Njoki.

The deceased sustained a gunshot in the stomach, with the bullet exiting in the back, leaving an extensive wound.

“I heard the gunshots while inside my house, which is next to the shop. When I got out, I saw them flee. Mwambili was bleeding profusely, and we rushed him to the hospital, hoping to save him, but he died along the way,” said Tom Mboya, a resident.

On Friday night, the gang attacked Mwariki Estate in Nakuru West, where they raided Mr Jackson Maina’s shop, which also traded in LPG gas and M-Pesa, just like other victims.

Maina, who is currently recuperating at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital with deep cuts sustained during the attack in which the gang made away with Sh100,000.

“The gang attacked at around 7:20 pm. People came to rescue my husband, but they shot twice in the air. My husband was severely cut before he gave in to their demands,” said Susan Mwaina, the victim’s wife.

Caroline Kwamboka during an interview at Arap Chumo Estate in Nakuru on May 29, 2025. She suffered multiple cuts to her head and neck after being attacked by armed robbers at her shop, where they made away with over Sh40,000 at gunpoint. The same attackers also shot and killed a man at the scene shortly after the robbery. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The gang had on Thursday shot dead Enoch Koech in the Ngata Bridge area as he responded to a similar robbery in which shopkeeper Caroline Kwamboka sustained deep cuts and lost Sh40,000.

Others killed by the gang include Jackson Mwangi in Pipeline Estate on May 21 and Paul Ndung’u on May 23 in Ndege Ndimu Estate, both at their respective shops at similar hours.

“We feel that Nakuru is no longer safe. The gang seem emboldened and trigger-happy in dealing with those who resist them. We need more proactive police response to these attacks,” said Duncan Mwaura, a resident.

In all the incidents, police reports indicate that the same gun, an AK47, has been used to silence the victims who resist, call for help, or come to the rescue of those being robbed.

Nakuru County Police Commander Michael Mwaura said that they are casting their nets wide to bring the culprits to book.

“This is a matter we are taking seriously. We won’t allow this one firearm in the hands of civilians to terrorise the people of Nakuru. They either surrender or face the consequences of crime,” said Mwaura.