A deadly ambush by an armed gang in the Free Area of Nakuru town at 1:29 AM resulted in the death of one police officer from Bondeni Police Station and left two others wounded. The injured officers are receiving treatment at Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara announced that several suspects were apprehended this morning following a swift police operation.
An AK-47 rifle, serial number 18916, loaded with three rounds of ammunition, was recovered in the Rhoda area, concealed in dry grass near a residential house.
The attack occurred during a routine police patrol in the Free Area, a known hotspot for gang activity. The assailants, whose identities remain undisclosed, opened fire on the officers, killing one instantly and injuring two others.
The gang is suspected to be part of a broader criminal network responsible for a recent wave of violent crimes in Nakuru, including armed robberies targeting M-Pesa shops and local businesses.
Police reports indicate that the gang staged a violent robbery in the Soilo area, where they attacked a 24-year-old shop owner with machetes and daggers, stole hundreds of thousands of shillings, and shot the victim dead after dragging him from his shop.
This incident is part of a series of violent crimes linked to the same group, which has heightened insecurity in Nakuru.
Following intelligence-led operations, Nakuru police, supported by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operation Action Team and Crime Research Bureau, conducted raids that led to the arrest of four suspects, including a 43-year-old woman and three men aged 29 to 35, at their hideout in Umoja Lodge within Nakuru town centre.
The suspects, identified as William Nyairi Rioba, Nyari Nyamwara Maluke (a Tanzanian national), Emmanuel Mwita Mwita, and Catherine Nkantha Zakayo, led police to the AK-47 used in the attack.
Ballistic examinations confirmed that cartridges recovered from recent crime scenes, including the police ambush and M-Pesa vendor killings, were fired from the seized AK-47. Authorities believe the gang may be larger than currently known and are pursuing additional leads to apprehend other members.
Nakuru has been grappling with organised criminal gangs, such as the notorious “Confirm” group, for years. These gangs, often composed of youths aged 13 to 26, operate in slums like Bondeni, Kivumbini, Kwa Rhoda, and Flamingo, engaging in robberies, muggings, and violent attacks.
Recent reports highlight a resurgence of gang activity, with M-Pesa shops and small businesses frequently targeted between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
In the past week alone, four M-Pesa vendors and the police officer were killed in shooting incidents linked to these gangs. On May 21, businessman Jackson Mwangi was shot dead in Pipeline, and on May 23, Paul Ndung’u was killed in Ndege Ndimu.
A separate attack on May 27 saw M-Pesa agent Caroline Kwamboka injured and Evans Kipkoech killed in Ngata.
The DCI has intensified crackdowns, with Nakuru County Commissioner Kibaara assuring residents that security is a top priority. A special police unit formed in 2020 to combat the Confirm gang has been reactivated, and patrols have been increased in high-risk areas.
However, residents have expressed frustration over alleged police collusion with gangs and the protection of criminals by local politicians, which has hindered efforts to curb the violence.
Community members report that gangs operate with impunity, often under the influence of drugs like bhang and muguka, and are emboldened by their ties to influential figures.
A human rights activist, Peter Tena, accused some police officers of colluding with gang informants, compromising operations.
The DCI is processing the arrested suspects for arraignment on June 3, 2025, while ballistic and forensic analyses are underway to trace the origin of the recovered AK-47 and link it to other crimes.
Authorities are urging residents to provide information to aid in dismantling the gang networks.
The recent spate of violence has sparked fear among Nakuru residents, who are calling for stronger measures to address the growing insecurity. Police have vowed to continue operations to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
