In a dramatic turn of events, a lone gunman found himself on the receiving end of police gunfire near Mathiakani Bridge in Mwingi, Kitui County on Saturday, October 21, after he attempted to rob police officers.
The perpetrator’s attempted heist targeting drivers along the Kitui- Garissa route took a violent twist when he was met with swift and decisive action from law enforcement.
According to a police report obtained by sauce.co.ke from Nguni Police Station, the incident unfolded when the gunman accosted an unsuspecting water bowser driver from St. Andrews Academy on his way to fetch water at around 9 pm on Saturday.
On reaching Mathiakani bridge, the driver, identified as Patrick Mutie, was forced to slow down so as to navigate the tricky section of the road leading to Nguni town.
Ambush at Mathiakani Bridge
Unknown to the driver, the gunman had selected this section precisely for that reason as it is an area where all cautious drivers must slow down.
On slowing down, the driver saw a man armed with a flashlight and an AK-47 signaling him to stop. Suspecting foul play, the driver ignored the order to stop and instead accelerated to escape the impending danger.
This brilliant moment of alertness may have just saved the driver’s life as he then heard three gunshots as he sped away. The three gunshots hit the vehicle’s front tire but the driver was lucky to escape unhurt, according to the police report.
After covering approximately 800 meters, the truck driver encountered a Toyota Landcruiser ( Prado) headed in the opposite direction. Efforts to warn the driver of the Prado about the danger ahead were futile.
The bowser driver then decided to proceed to Nguni police station, where he made an official report.
Armed police encounter the gunman
Unbeknownst to either Patrick or the lone gunman, the Prado which was headed to Nuu, was attached to the Interior Ministry. It was also ferrying two police officers, armed with pistols.
The two were travelling from Nairobi to Mwingi East – Dr. Juma’s rural home.
The robber stopped the vehicle and forcibly ordered the two lawmen out of the car. One corporal, unfortunately fell victim to the robber, losing Ksh2,000 in the process.
“The two security personnel were all armed with pistols. They were accosted by the said lone gunman who stopped them at gunpoint and ordered them out of the vehicle…” the police report reads.
However, as the robber fled the scene, he made the mistake of firing three rounds at the officers, prompting the officers to return fire. This exchange of gunfire led to the fatal injury of the assailant, with the police vehicle sustaining two hits in the rear.
Fortunately, the officers escaped unharmed from the altercation, but the gunman succumbed to his injuries.
The aftermath
The aftermath of the incident revealed several items recovered by law enforcement from the lone gunman. Among these items were an AK-47 rifle with twenty-three rounds of ammunition, two pairs of shoes, a cooking pot with foodstuffs, and a knife.
Other items recovered included a portable solar panel, a pair of scissors, a pen, and a black backpack containing 38 rounds of ammunition.
The police also retrieved some notes of Somali currency, some notes of Kenya shillings, two mobile phones as well an expended cartridge.
“The following was also found in his possession; 2 pairs of open shoes, a small sufuria with foodstuffs, a knife, a solar panel, 15 dry cell/batteries make white elephant, scissors, a pen, an electric tester, a black bag pack containing 38 rounds of ammunition, 7 notes of 1000 Somali currency, Kenyan currency notes Ksh 2800, 2 mobile phones make Itel black in colour and mobile phone of make BMP red in colour and one expended cartridge.
The crime scene was processed, and the deceased assailant’s body was moved to the morgue at Mwingi Level (IV) Hospital, according to the final report.
