A suspected member of an armed gang linked to the recent robbery at a popular restaurant in Nairobi’s Westlands area was shot dead during a police operation in Joska, Machakos County, as detectives intensified efforts to dismantle a criminal network believed to be behind a series of violent robberies in Nairobi and its neighbouring counties.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect was fatally wounded after allegedly opening fire on detectives who had raided a house in Joska Town, where he was reportedly hiding at his girlfriend’s residence.
The operation was conducted jointly by detectives from DCI Headquarters and DCI Matungulu following intelligence on the suspect’s whereabouts.
Police said the officers identified themselves and ordered the occupants to open the door. However, the suspect allegedly responded by firing at detectives through a kitchen window, prompting officers to return fire.
After securing the house, detectives recovered a Beretta pistol fitted with a magazine loaded with four rounds of 9mm ammunition. Officers also recovered additional live rounds, spent cartridges and three mobile phones.
The recovered firearm has been forwarded to the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory for ballistic examination to determine whether it was used in other violent crimes.
Investigators believe the suspect was part of the gang that carried out an armed robbery at Chaiiwali Hotel along General Mathenge Road in Spring Valley, Westlands.
During the attack, which occurred at about 10:40 p.m., two armed men reportedly entered the restaurant disguised as customers before drawing pistols and ordering diners to surrender their valuables.
The attackers allegedly stole seven mobile phones and an HP laptop in an operation that lasted less than a minute before escaping on two motorcycles towards the Parklands area.
Witnesses told investigators the suspects fired two rounds into the air as they fled, apparently to deter anyone from pursuing them. Police later recovered a spent 9mm cartridge at the scene, which has also been submitted for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
