A tense weekend in Kakamega County turned tragic after a series of violent confrontations between police and suspected criminals. In Butere’s Songa Mbele village, a man identified as Thomas Mboya was shot dead after he attempted to rescue his accomplices who had been arrested for stealing a motorcycle and a plastic chair.
According to police, Mboya confronted officers while armed with a panga and threatened to attack them. One of the officers responded by firing an AK47 rifle, killing him instantly, as his accomplices were taken into custody for interrogation.
In a separate incident in Dagoretti, Kiambu County, another suspect was gunned down as two of his accomplices managed to flee into nearby thickets. Police recovered a toy pistol and a panga from the slain suspect, who was believed to have been part of a gang on a robbery spree in the early morning hours.
Officers said the gang had been targeting residents when police in plain clothes were tipped off and moved in. The body of the suspect was later taken to the mortuary as police launched a manhunt for the two who escaped.
Meanwhile, in Butere’s Shihara village, a local chief escaped a violent confrontation while attending a funeral where he sought to stop a disco matanga. The chief was reportedly chased away and threatened with arson after members of a criminal gang confronted him.
Police were alerted and later arrested four suspects linked to the gang known as Gaza. Six pangas were recovered during the operation, and the suspects are expected in court to face charges of preparing to commit a felony.
Authorities have said operations in the region will continue as they seek to deal with the growing cases of robbery and violent gang activities.
By Creatorhub