A tense moment was witnessed on Tuesday, December 9, along Moi Avenue in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) after detectives gunned down two suspected robbers.
The incident occurred a few minutes before noon near the Moi Avenue-Kenyatta Avenue junction in the city centre after detectives confronted a group of suspected armed robbers following intelligence reports linking the gang to a robbery incident.
Witnesses revealed that the gang of five had allegedly attacked a client shortly after he left a nearby building, prompting the officers who were on patrol to respond, shooting two of them.
While the rest managed to escape, further reports indicate that the suspects were shot by plainclothes police, sparking panic among passers-by who witnessed the incident.
The scene immediately drew the attention of city dwellers, who quickly gathered to witness the unfolding. However, the police, who were on a high alert, began dispersing them.
A brief melee ensued between the armed officers and the crowd, forcing the police to lob tear gas canisters to disperse the onlookers before cordoning off the area.
The police officers went ahead to place the bodies of the duo into the rear compartment of the van, locked it and drove away.
While the main cause of the incident is yet to be established, the police have since launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects, even as the gang crackdown intensifies during this festive season.
The latest incident comes amid concerns over a surge in the crime rate within Nairobi CBD, particularly targeting shop owners and cases of phone snatching.
In September this year, police officers arrested over 200 people believed to be behind the rising mugging cases and harassment of residents within the city.
Addressing the press moments after the arrest, the Nairobi Region Police Commander George Sedah said that 200 people were arrested in a major crackdown in response to growing public concerns.
He assured residents that Nairobi remains safe, with business operating normally. He also urged members of the public to come out and report mugging cases to the police.
