Six suspected thugs shot dead in Nairobi

By CYRUS OMBATI

NAIROBI, KENYA: Six suspected thugs were shot dead by police in separate robbery attempts in Nairobi in renewed war on crime.

Police say they recovered four pistols from the deceased men.

The latest incident happened saturday morning in Uthiru area along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi where three suspects were gunned down after a dramatic chase from Mlango Kubwa area.

Two pistols were recovered from one of the suspect's body, police said.

Dagoretti OCPD Mathew Gwiyo said the gang was behind an earlier robbery in Mlango Kubwa area in which a woman was attacked and robbed of her cash at gunpoint.

"They were on the run when our officers caught up with them," he said adding two pistols were found on the suspects. 

He added the gang had also planned to attack Mpesa shops in Ngando area.

Another suspect had earlier on Friday night been killed in Soweto area, Kayole in a botched robbery.

Police say they killed another suspect in Kibera slums and another one along University Way friday night.

The one killed along University Way was reportedly in the company of three others and had tried to grab valuables from motorists in attacks.

On Friday, two police officers were shot and wounded in a shoot-out with gunmen along Mbagathi Road.

Police managed to kill two suspects and recovered a pistol that had eight bullets.

One of the injured officers was taken to theater for operation after bullets were lodged in his legs and officials said they are both in stable condition.

Armed crime has been on the rise in the City and police say they have put measures to address the situation.

Director of CID Ndegwa Muhoro met police commanders on Thursday in the city and warned them crime was on the rise.

He told the commanders to act or they be punished.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku Saturday summoned a meeting of senior security commanders in Nairobi, Machakos,Kajiado and Kiambu Counties to discuss the rate of crime.
The commanders held the meeting at the Administration Police Training College in Embakasi and agreed to push the Nyumba Kumi drive as part of efforts to address crime.

The most disturbing are cases of carjacking of matatus in the city where at least a public service vehicle is attacked every night and passengers robbed.

Gunmen usually pose as passengers and strike at night.