Gang ambush leaves one police officer dead, two injured in Nakuru

Police officer dies after gang ambushes three officers on patrol in Nakuru's Freehold area. [File, Standard]

A police officer has died after a gang ambushed three officers on patrol in Nakuru's Freehold area on Sunday evening, police have said.

Nakuru East OCPD Samson Andanje confirmed the attack but could not provide further details as he was attending to the incident.

The deaths and injuries were confirmed in a police report released on Monday, June 2.

The report stated that officers from Bondeni station were patrolling along Freehold Road, approximately three kilometres west of the station, when they encountered a group believed to be preparing for a robbery.

Shooting began immediately, injuring three officers. Police Constable Josphat Ruto was shot in the pelvic area, with the bullet exiting his left side and breaking his left ankle.

He was rushed to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital but died during treatment from excessive bleeding. His body was moved to the hospital mortuary.

Police Constable Saul Mutoro sustained a panga wound to the right hand and was treated and discharged in stable condition.

Police Constable Walter Makori was shot in the back, with the bullet exiting through his stomach. He remains hospitalised in a serious condition.

The report said one attacker was shot but escaped with injuries, while police pursued the suspects.

One suspect, identified as Peter Chacha, 32, was arrested with the panga used to injure Mutoro. Another was arrested after being identified by a member of the public as part of the gang before the attack.

Nakuru has seen a series of attacks in recent days, with at least four people killed in separate incidents over the last ten days.