Detectives have arrested four individuals in connection with a shooting incident that took place in Free Area, Nakuru Town. In the course of their investigations, police also recovered an AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in the crime.
The attack occurred when a group of police officers responded to a distress call at around 1 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025. Upon arrival, they were ambushed by armed assailants. During the confrontation, one police officer, Josphat Ruto, sustained a gunshot wound to the pelvic region, with the bullet exiting his left side and fracturing his left ankle. Despite being rushed to hospital, he succumbed to his injuries due to excessive bleeding.
Another officer, Saul Mutoro, was attacked with a machete and sustained injuries to his right hand. Fortunately, he was treated and discharged in stable condition. A third officer, Walter Makori, was shot in the back, with the bullet exiting through his stomach, and he remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Following the shooting, police launched an operation that led to the arrest of four persons of interest believed to be involved in the ambush. Among those apprehended is a suspect who was identified by a member of the public as having been in the company of the attackers at a bar in Gilgil prior to the incident. Additionally, another suspect, injured during the shootout, was pursued and apprehended by officers after being caught with a machete.
One of the attackers was wounded during the exchange of fire and managed to escape. Police are continuing a manhunt for this individual, as well as other potential accomplices.
The AK-47 rifle recovered from the gang will undergo ballistic tests to determine its involvement in other crimes. Investigations are ongoing as detectives intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal network believed to be responsible for the violent attacks.
The area of Nakuru has experienced a noticeable increase in crime, particularly armed robberies and violent incidents, which authorities attribute to the activities of a notorious gang operating in the region. In response, additional police personnel have been deployed to the area to bolster security and pursue those responsible for the escalating violence.
Just last week, a 25-year-old man was shot dead during a robbery at an M-Pesa shop in the Baraka area of Menengai, Nakuru County. The victim, Enock Chepkwony, was a herder from the Arap Chumo area.
According to police, the robbery involved three attackers who targeted the M-Pesa attendant, injuring her in the face and left arm as they demanded the day’s cash collection. The assailants managed to steal Ksh40,000 before fleeing the scene.
As they escaped, the robbers encountered Chepkwony a few meters away and shot him at close range with a rifle. The bullet entered his head and exited through his cheek, causing fatal injuries. Police recovered a spent 7.62 mm cartridge at the scene.
The injured attendant was taken to hospital for treatment, while Chepkwony’s body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and further investigations.
Authorities are pursuing charges of murder and robbery with violence in connection with this case and the recent shooting of the police officers.
The ongoing investigations have exposed the growing insecurity challenges in Nakuru, a region grappling with rising criminal activity. Police are committed to restoring order and safety by cracking down on gangs and apprehending all suspects involved in these violent acts.
Efforts to track down remaining gang members continue, with officers working closely with the community to gather intelligence and prevent further attacks. The police urge anyone with information related to the incidents to come forward and assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
