Man killed, woman injured in shop robbery

A 25-year-old man was shot dead while a shop attendant suffered injuries following an armed robbery in Baraka area of Ngata Estate, Nakuru County.

Residents are blaming the police for their slow response and claim the incident was the third in less than a week.

County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara said that they are pursuing the assailants believed to be armed with an AK-47.

The victim was a bystander outside the Arap Chumo Shopping Center, where the attack occurred around 1:30 PM.

Shop attendant Caroline Kwamboka described how three men entered her store pretending to buy airtime. After being served, they demanded money, leading to a 30-minute ordeal.

Initially resisting, Kwamboka was assaulted, but she eventually handed over Sh40,000. The assailants fled on a motorcycle parked nearby.

Kwamboka, who has operated her business since 2019 without encountering violence, criticized the police for not addressing the rising crime.

Euphamia Achieng, a fish trader, witnessed the attack and reported that one robber, dressed in a police uniform with an AK-47, attempted to intimidate bystanders. Eric Otieno, a hotel attendant, also heard the commotion and saw the assailants.

Commissioner Kibaara confirmed that a gang targeting M-Pesa shops has been operating in the area, with incidents reported in Pipeline, Ndege Ndimu, Ngata, and Barnabas.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and mentioned that a cartridge has been sent for ballistic analysis to determine if any police officers are involved.