How detectives shot down four gangsters in Kilifi

Four gangsters responsible for a series of armed robberies in Machakos, Mombasa and Kwale counties were shot dead last night by detectives. The deadly exchange of fire ensued after the thugs defied orders to surrender and instead shot at the police officers.

According to the DCI the elite Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau detectives had been trailing the gangsters for months, determined to recover a government rifle that was stolen during a bank heist at Equity bank in Matuu, Machakos County in July last year.
The rifle, an AK-47 with serial number KE KP 5527115, had been loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition when it was taken from a police officer on guard duty.

The gangsters had been terrorizing Kenyans in over 10 armed robberies, targeting Mpesa shops and other business establishments in Mombasa and Kwale counties.
However, thanks to comprehensive forensic analysis conducted at the DCI National Forensic Lab, the lost police firearm was traced to two suspects, Festus and Tsuma Ndoro.

A team of highly skilled detectives was immediately mobilized to track down the gangsters.
After weeks of laying an ambush in Kwale, the sleuths finally caught a break when the gangsters made a move and crossed the Likoni channel yesterday around 4 pm. The detectives trailed them from Likoni ferry to Shimanzi, Nyali, and Shariani before finally cornering them in Takaungu, Kilifi County moments to midnight.

The gangsters who were headed to Kilifi town to commit more robberies engaged the detectives in a fierce gun battle. Ultimately, the detectives emerged victorious, shooting dead all four gangsters and recovering the stolen AK-47 rifle which was loaded with only 7 rounds of 7.62-x39 caliber.

Furthermore, two motorcycles that the gangsters had been using as getaway means were also impounded. The motorcycles, a Boxer KMFS 631T and a Haogin KMEF 182P, were both red in color.

The incident has been hailed as a major victory for law enforcement agencies, who have been struggling to contain the rising wave of crime in the country. Speaking about the operation, a senior detective praised the bravery and skill of the detectives involved and stated that the recovered rifle would be subjected to further ballistic tests to link it to other unsolved crimes.