Police officers in Kitui on Sunday opened fire and killed a pastor who was found robbing a shop owner at Kavisuni market within the county.
Reports indicated that the pastor whose name has been withheld was in the process of robbing the shop owner in the company of a member of one of his churches.
The duo presented themselves to the outlet as police officers pretending to be on a mission to track stolen goods that they suspected were being sold at the shop.
“They presented themselves as police officers from Kitui Police Station tracking stolen goods and demanded to check my stock. Once inside the shop they drew guns and ordered me and the night guard to lie down," the shop attendant told the police.
Shortly after, a commotion ensued attracting the attention of nearby police officers who responded swiftly.
Upon arrival at the shop, the officers found the pastor and his accomplice harassing the shop owner after stealing Ksh5,000 from the cash register.
They ordered them to surrender when a shootout ensued leading to the killing of the pastor. Upon a search of his body, a fake gun was recovered alongside a dagger.
A police report indicated that the pastor managed two churches and had lied to a friend that he was transporting church equipment while borrowing a motorbike.
Kitui County Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Samuel Bett told the press that the police were not aware of the profession of the robbers.
He revealed that his work at the Ministry was brought forth after the shooting.
“The information about the robber being a pastor emerged later after his body had been taken to the mortuary,” he stated.
Witnesses revealed to the press that the deceased held a senior position at the church and was respected in the area.
“The community around was shocked that a pastor they knew was not only involved in a robbery with violence but also killed in a shootout with police,” Kalimani location Chief Cyrus Kitwai Malombe told the press.
The accomplice escaped with injuries and police mounted a search for him.
