A late-night ambush by an armed gang in Nakuru City has left one police officer dead and two others injured, authorities have confirmed.
The attack, which occurred around 9:30 pm targeted three officers from Bondeni Police Station who were on routine patrol in Freehold Estate, Nakuru Town East.
According to Nakuru East OCPD Samson Andanje, the officers were waylaid by an unknown group of gun-wielding assailants near Chester Hotel.
One officer succumbed to gunshot wounds at the scene, while the two others, who sustained serious injuries, were rushed to Alghadir Hospital for treatment. Their condition remains critical but stable, police said.
The assailants reportedly fled the scene, but police have since arrested two suspects in connection with the attack. A third suspect managed to escape, prompting a manhunt in the area.
Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the suspects or the motive behind the attack, but investigations are underway to determine whether it was a targeted assault or part of rising gang activity in the region.
“We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and have deployed additional resources to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said OCPD Andanje in a statement. “We urge the public to come forward with any information that could assist in our investigations.”
The attack has raised concerns about the growing insecurity in Nakuru City. Locals calling for enhanced security measures and increased police presence in vulnerable areas like Freehold.
The slain officer, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed pending family notification, is the latest casualty in a series of violent incidents targeting businessmen and security personnel in Nakuru.
Police have cordoned off the crime scene as forensic teams continue to gather evidence. The public is encouraged to provide any relevant information through the nearest police station or anonymous tip lines.
In one month, Nakuru City has reported eight robberies, five involving murders, with a gang using an AK-47 targeting M-Pesa shops and businesses in Pipeline, Ngata, Ndege Ndimu, and Upper Hill estates.
Agitated locals are now calling for the return of County Commander Peter Mwanzo whom they credit for sufficiently addressing robberies and murders in 2022.
Mwanzo was reassigned from Nakuru to Vigilance House, Nairobi, in February 2023, for overseeing a court-ordered eviction of 105 families in Kiriko, Subukia, ‘without adequate consultation’.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced disciplinary action against Mwanzo for failing to consult the county security committee, neglecting intelligence, and undermining Kenyan livelihoods during the evictions.
Gachagua stressed that police must serve and protect citizens, aligning with government directives. Mwanzo’s actions violated this, leading to his recall to Nairobi the next day, pending new duties.