Tension gripped Kipipiri on Tuesday afternoon after police fired warning shots to rescue three robbery suspects from an enraged mob. The suspects, two women and a man, had abducted and robbed a 58-year-old woman before throwing her out of a moving vehicle.

The suspects – Zipporah Kanini (33), Lilian Njeri (26), and Felix Mutuku (36) – posed as employees of a solar company and offered Ann Karogii Waithera a lift at Kabati bus stage. However, during the ride, the trio robbed Waithera of her phone valued at Sh6,600 and forcefully transferred Sh113,000 from her M-Pesa account.

Witnesses saw Waithera being thrown from the moving vehicle, raising alarm and blocking the road. In a bid to escape, the suspects diverted to a murram road but were cornered at Samuel Njuguna’s homestead in Tigoni village.

“The irate crowd was ready to lynch the suspects, but officers fired in the air to disperse them,” said the local police commander. Six mobile phones, including Waithera’s, were recovered from the suspects.

Records show the stolen funds were transferred to a mobile number registered under Bill Kimutai. The suspects, who sustained injuries from the mob, were taken to Manunga Health Centre in stable condition. A police officer also suffered minor facial injuries during the operation.

Authorities have since warned the public against accepting lifts from strangers following a series of similar incidents. In a recent case, a couple lost over Sh409,000 to a dagger-wielding gang that had offered them a lift to Mombasa from Athi River.

Police are intensifying efforts to curb rising crime and urge citizens to remain vigilant.

By Kenyans

By admin

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