Four Notorious Suspected Robbers Gunned Down by Police in Uasin Gishu After Midnight Shootout
According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani, the operation was launched following a tip-off from members of the public who reported that six armed men, dressed in military-style clothing, were robbing motorists and pedestrians along the Eldoret–Kiplombe Road.
Uasin Gishu County security team led by County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani and County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Daniel Muleli addresses the media during a press briefing in Eldoret, where a pistol and other items recovered from suspected armed robbers were displayed following a police operation at Kiplombe. Photo by James Gitaka.
By James Gitaka
Four notorious suspected robbers were on Sunday night gunned down by police officers in Uasin Gishu County following a midnight security operation at Kiplombe, while two other members of the gang escaped with what police believe are serious gunshot injuries.
According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani, the operation was launched following a tip-off from members of the public who reported that six armed men, dressed in military-style clothing, were robbing motorists and pedestrians along the Eldoret–Kiplombe Road.
Sicharani said officers on routine night patrol swiftly responded to the intelligence and intercepted the suspects at Greenfield Junction shortly after midnight.
“The officers ordered the suspects to stop and identify themselves, but instead they opened fire on the police officers, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire,” said the county police commander.
Police said four of the suspects were fatally shot during the confrontation, while two others managed to flee into nearby bushes despite sustaining gunshot wounds.
A coordinated multi-agency operation has since been launched to track down the two fugitives, with security agencies appealing to members of the public and health facilities to report anyone seeking treatment for unexplained gunshot injuries.
According to Commander Sicharani, preliminary investigations have linked the gang to a series of violent robberies reported across several counties, including Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and parts of Western Kenya.
Detectives believe the suspects were behind numerous armed robbery incidents targeting motorists, businesses and residents in Eldoret, Kitale, Kapenguria, Nandi and neighbouring areas.
“The safety of members of the public remains the National Police Service’s foremost priority, with officers maintaining round-the-clock patrols to deter crime and respond promptly to emerging threats,” Sicharani said.
Police recovered several items from the suspects believed to have been used in criminal activities. The exhibits include a loaded pistol, a wedge mallet, a wedge chisel, five mobile phones, manila ropes, four identification cards and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Investigators say the recovered mobile phones and identification cards will undergo forensic examination to establish the identities of the deceased suspects, trace possible victims and determine whether the gang was linked to other robbery incidents reported across the North Rift region.
Sicharani commended the officers involved in the operation, saying their swift response prevented further attacks on innocent members of the public.
“The National Police Service remains resolute in its mission to protect life and property. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing timely information that supports efforts to combat crime and enhance the safety and security of all,” he said.
The bodies of the four deceased suspects were taken to a local mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
Meanwhile, police have intensified the manhunt for the two escapees as investigations continue to establish the full extent of the gang’s criminal activities and identify any accomplices.
The latest operation forms part of an intensified intelligence-led security crackdown targeting organized criminal gangs operating across the North Rift.
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