Detectives have arrested four individuals linked to a shooting incident in Free Area, Nakuru Town, and have recovered an AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in the crime. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, June 2, 2025, involved a group of police officers responding to a distress call when they were ambushed.
One police officer, Josphat Ruto, succumbed to his injuries after being shot in the pelvic area, with the bullet exiting on the left side and breaking his left ankle. He was rushed to the hospital but died due to excessive bleeding. Another officer, Walter Makori, was shot in the back, with the bullet exiting at the stomach, and is currently in serious condition. A third officer, Saul Mutoro, was attacked with a machete, sustaining injuries to his right hand. He was treated and discharged in stable condition.
According to police reports, the officers were ambushed at about 1 a.m. as they responded to a distress call. During the confrontation, one robber was shot but managed to escape with injuries. Police are actively pursuing another suspect who injured Mutoro. This suspect was eventually arrested, along with a panga (machete) which has been kept as evidence. Another individual, believed to have been in the company of the robbers prior to the attack, was also apprehended following identification by a member of the public.
The recovered AK-47 rifle will undergo ballistic tests to determine if it has been involved in other crimes. The suspects currently in custody are undergoing intense interrogation, as detectives seek to uncover any additional accomplices and gather more information about the gang believed to be responsible for the attacks.
Nakuru has been experiencing a slight increase in criminal activities in recent weeks, prompting authorities to increase police presence and operations aimed at curbing the crime wave. Officials have deployed more personnel to the area to intensify the search for the gang believed to be behind the recent violent incidents.
In a related incident last week, a 25-year-old man was shot and killed during a robbery at an M-Pesa shop located in Baraka area, Menengai, Nakuru County. The victim, identified as Enock Chepkwony, was a herder from the Arap Chumo area. The robbery occurred at night when a gang of three armed men attacked the shop, injuring the attendant in the face and left arm while demanding the day’s cash collection.
The robbers managed to steal Ksh40,000 before fleeing the scene. Shortly after, they encountered Chepkwony a few meters ahead and shot him at close range with a rifle. The bullet entered the left side of his back and exited through his cheek, killing him instantly. A spent 7.62 mm special cartridge was recovered at the crime scene.
The injured M-Pesa attendant was rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the body of the deceased was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and further investigations. Police are conducting investigations into the murder and robbery with violence, hoping to apprehend the perpetrators.
Authorities are emphasizing their commitment to restoring security in Nakuru by intensifying operations against criminal gangs operating in the area. The recent arrests and recovery of the firearm are seen as a positive step towards curbing violent crime, though the hunt for more suspects linked to these incidents continues.
The police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could assist in the ongoing investigations. They have also reassured the community that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure their safety and to bring all perpetrators to justice.
