Police made strides in maintaining peace and security after two suspected thugs were killed in a highway chase in Mumias.
Detectives, on Saturday, January 7, intercepted the two who were on a motorbike, heading to Eldoret.
Undercover detectives first ordered the two to stop. However, they defied orders to surrender and shot at the officers.
“This prompted the undercover detectives to answer the provocation with a volley of fierce gunfire killing them on the spot,” DCI reported.
“The two died after they were fatally wounded in an exchange of fire with sleuths,” the agency added.
An AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 19 rounds of 7.62mm special caliber was recovered.
A preliminary report further detailed that the thugs were part of a five-man gang that had staged 8 armed attacks in the five counties, between October 22 to December 26.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were linked to a spate of criminal activities in Uasin-Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties.
The gang targeted mobile money shops, supermarkets, and wholesales where they stole cash worth millions of shillings.
They were also accused of the death of three victims and injuring several others.
Earlier on, police in Trans Nzoia banned wearing masks in public, claiming that thugs used them to rob victims. Boda Boda riders were listed as the main suspects in various cases, with police claiming that they hid behind masks and helmets.
