Motorist guns down two gunmen

By  Cyrus Ombati

Drama unfolded in Isinya town when a licensed gun holder shot and injured two gunmen who had tried robhim.

The motorist escaped unhurt in the Wednesday afternoon incident near Emashu Camp Lodge on the Kiserian-Isinya road.

Police said the motorist had parked his vehicle and was leaving when a gang of five struck and tried to take control of his car.

Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue said the motorist reached for his gun and shot at the gang, injuring two while the rest escaped.

Mr Kibue said they are investigating the incident over what he termed ‘missing links’.

“The man says the accomplices came back heavily armed to pick up their injured men and just shot at his vehicle, damaging it,” said Kibue.

He said the injured gunmen are yet to be found and is appealing to local clinics and hospitals to notify the police of anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds on the leg and shoulder.

The gunmen were reportedly armed with a G3, AK47 rifle and pistols. Kibue said licensed gun holders are allowed to use their weapons to defend themselves when in danger.

But cases where licensed gun holders use the weapons are on the rise, and authorities are usually strict on the usage of such weapons and insist on justification.

Six thugs

He said police are also looking for a gang that attacked a private residence in Spring Valley area in Nairobi yesterday morning and dropped a gun while escaping.

The gang of about six did not steal anything from the home of a Chinese national. Police say the men left behind a shotgun rifle without bullets as they escaped in a car.

And on the positive side, cases of armed robberies have reduced, with police killing dozens of suspects.

Elsewhere, several people were left homeless on Wednesday night after a fire swept through structures in Eastleigh area, Nairobi. The fire is said to have started from one of the affected 15 houses before spreading. Police say no one was injured and the cause has not been known.