Two suspected criminals were shot dead in Nairobi’s Mathare area during a failed robbery attempt on Monday evening. The incident unfolded along Juja Road as groups clashed along the nearby Outer Ring Road, creating chaos that the suspects reportedly exploited to launch attacks on pedestrians.
According to police reports, the suspects had taken advantage of the ongoing unrest to rob passersby. Around 5 p.m., they accosted a man who was walking from a mosque, attempting to strip him of his cash and personal belongings. The victim raised an alarm, prompting police officers on patrol in the area to respond swiftly. Two of the attackers were fatally shot during the intervention, while a third suspect managed to escape into the dense slums.
A knife was recovered from the scene, alongside stolen items including the victim’s mobile phone, which was later returned to its rightful owner. The bodies of the deceased were transported to a local mortuary for autopsy as investigations continue.
The robbery coincided with a day-long clash involving rival groups along Outer Ring Road, particularly between Allsops and Kariobangi Roundabout, spreading to Riverside. The tensions caused significant traffic disruption on one of Nairobi’s major arteries connecting Thika Road to the Eastern Bypass. Authorities urged motorists to use alternative routes, including Jogoo Road and the Eastern Bypass, as efforts to stabilize the situation continued.
The unrest is believed to be rooted in growing tensions following the mob lynching of a suspected thief in the Kiamaiko area. In response to last Thursday’s incident, a group reportedly crossed into Kariobangi, attacking businesses and stealing cash and property. Residents accused officers from Huruma and Kariobangi police stations of inaction, demanding their removal.
In a separate operation in Kisumu, police raided a suspected gang hideout near the Auji River in Manyatta ‘B’ Sub-Location, arresting five suspects believed to be behind a spate of crimes in Nyamasaria. Recovered items included a motorcycle, three pangas, a knife, and a toy gun.
Security agencies have noted a slight rise in criminal activity in urban areas and are stepping up efforts to contain the trend and reassure the public of their safety.
