Trans Nzoia: Armed robber gunned down as two escape with gunshot injuries

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 8 Jan, 2022 13:15 | < 1 min read
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A police car. PHOTO/File

Police in Trans Nzoia County yesterday night gunned down one armed robber while two others escaped with gunshot injuries following a shootout incident at Muthoni area along the Kitale-Eldoret highway.

Confirming the incident, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang' said police officers acting on a tip-off from members of public swung into action and ordered the three to stop.

The three defied the order and instead engaged the police in shootout.

"Our officers ordered them to stop but instead of complying, they shot at them forcing our police officers to respond. One of them was gunned down while two others escaped with gunshot injuries," Ojwang' said.

The county's security boss said preliminary investigations indicate that the three robbers wanted to rob one petrol station or any other business establishment along that highway.

Ojwang' said police officers are in serious pursuit of the two men who managed to escape.

"While we appreciate members of the public who tipped off our officers, we also want to ask to be vigilant and to feed us with information so that we can arrest and charge the two who are still at large," he appealed.

Ojwang' assured residents of Trans Nzoia that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that the county remains peaceful in the month of January and beyond.

"The robbers thought we have slept on our commitment to ensure that human life and property are protected, we are telling them that we are on the lookout. We shall ensure our people enjoy peace and tranquillity," he added.

The body of the slain robber was taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital morgue.

During a visit to Trans Nzoia County in 2021, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i issued a warning to emerging criminal gangs that their days were numbered.