A man was Monday evening shot dead by suspected thugs while his colleague sustained serious bullet wounds in Athi river town of Machakos.
According to sources at the scene, the victims were among a group of locals who attempted to block an armed gang of four who were escaping on motorbikes after robbing two M-pesa operators at Njuguini estate on Monday evening.
Confirming the incident, Athi River OCPD Sharma Wario said the suspects stole cash and various valuables from the shops before shooting the two at around 17.40 pm.
“On entering the first shop, the thugs brandished guns and told the M-pesa attendant to surrender all the cash she had. She complied and gave them Sh. 77,000 cash,” said Wario.
He added that they also stole seven mobile phones from the attendant including her personal mobile phone, two for money transactions (Mpesa and Equitel), and four others which were on display for sale.
In addition, the thugs stole airtime scratch cards worth Sh 86, 000 before entering the next M-pesa shop and stealing another mobile phone from the attendant.
According to the police boss, the four escaped on two standby motorcycles each with a separate rider and sped towards Kitengela.
“Those who had been robbed raised alarm and members of the public confronted the gangsters not knowing that they were armed. It is at that point that the thugs shot the two. One of the victims died on the spot,” said Wario.
Wario said the other victim is recuperating at Shalom Community Hospital in Athi River while the deceased’s body was moved to the hospital mortuary.
The police boss however assured the residents that investigations into the robbery are ongoing adding that police have launched a manhunt for the gangsters who are still at large.
He further called on the public to assist the police with any information that may help with the investigations. “We will arrest these people, it is a rare incident. Their days are numbered,” said Wario.
By Rachael Kilonzo
