A robbery at a fuel station in Kitheo area, Tigania, Meru County turned deadly when a fuel attendant was shot and killed by a gang of three men on a motorcycle. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night, leaving the local community shaken and authorities intensifying efforts to curb rising crime.
The victim, a 26-year-old fuel station worker identified as Josephat Muriithi, was on duty alongside a colleague when the gang arrived at the station. The men requested a fuel refill for their motorcycle, but the situation quickly escalated once the refueling was completed. One of the suspects grabbed Muriithi and demanded the day’s earnings. When he resisted the robbery attempt, one of the accomplices pulled out a pistol and shot him twice in the chest and under the armpit.
Despite his injuries, Muriithi attempted to flee but collapsed a few meters from the scene. The attackers sped away on their motorcycle without taking any money. Investigators later recovered Sh8,150 from the victim’s pockets, indicating that the gang left without their intended loot.
Police who arrived at the scene collected a spent cartridge, which was taken for ballistic examination to aid in identifying the weapon used. The deceased’s body was transported to the local mortuary, and detectives have been deployed to track down the suspects. Authorities confirmed that the area has recently seen a surge in violent crimes, prompting increased security operations.
In a separate incident in Mbooni, Makueni County, a man died after being attacked while walking home from a bar. He succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. Investigations are ongoing, and police are pursuing leads to apprehend the attacker, with the body awaiting post-mortem.
Meanwhile, in Katothya village, Mwingi, Kitui County, the body of a 25-year-old man was found with a deep neck wound, apparently caused by a panga. Reports indicate the attack followed an altercation. The suspected assailant, a Form Three student, was apprehended by members of the public in the Kwangoka area and taken into custody. The body was moved to the mortuary, and police have launched a full investigation into the matter.
