A resident was fatally injured on Tuesday night after armed robbers invaded a family home and held occupants hostage before engaging police in a dramatic escape in Kamulu, Machakos County.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in the Acre Tano area within Kamili Estate.
Police said three men armed with crude weapons accosted homeowner as he returned from work and attempted to close his gate after entering his compound.
The suspects allegedly took him hostage and forced him into the house, where other family members were present.
The robbers reportedly herded the family into the master bedroom before ransacking the house in search of cash and valuables.
They also allegedly forced the victims to transfer money from their mobile phones and bank accounts to an M-Pesa account controlled by the suspects.
In the midst of the ordeal, Mwaura’s wife managed to discreetly contact a neighbour, who alerted other residents and police officers.
Officers from Kamulu Police Post responded swiftly and arrived at the scene while the suspects were still inside the house.
Upon noticing the presence of police and members of the public gathering outside, the robbers fled through the main gate and escaped into nearby tall grass.
During their escape, they reportedly dropped some of the valuables they had stolen as police engaged them in a shootout.
Despite attempts by officers to stop them, the suspects managed to evade arrest.
Tragically, one of the neighbours who had responded to the distress call was fatally injured by the fleeing robbers, who attacked him with a machete.
Police reported that during the exchange, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were fired from an AK-47 rifle and one round from a G3 rifle.
A multi-agency operation involving officers from Muungano Police Station and K-9 personnel from Ruai was launched immediately after the incident, with security teams continuing to pursue the suspects.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to identify and apprehend those responsible for the robbery and killing.
Meanwhile, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer was injured after suspected bandits attacked a group of herders in Sarima, Loiyangalani Sub-county, Marsabit County.
According to the police, the attack occurred at around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Seko Junction in Sarma area.
Police said suspected a group of bandits ambushed herders from Lonjori area who were migrating with their livestock.
Among the animals were about 200 livestock that had reportedly been recovered after being stolen in an earlier raid allegedly linked to the same bandits.
As the herders moved through the area, the attackers struck, prompting officers from the GSU camp in Sarima to respond to the scene.
During the ensuing confrontation, security officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected bandits.
In the process, a Police Constable attached to GSU Sarima, sustained a gunshot wound to the left cheek, slightly below the eye.
The injured officer was rushed to the Lake Turkana Wind Power Health Centre, where he received first aid treatment.
Authorities said arrangements were underway to airlift him to Nairobi for specialized medical care.
No fatalities were reported during the incident, and it was not immediately clear whether any of the suspected bandits were injured during the exchange of fire.
Security agencies have launched investigations into the attack as efforts continue to combat recurring banditry incidents and livestock-related conflicts in the region.
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