A suspected thug was fatally shot during a botched robbery in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on the morning of January 1, 2025. According to police reports, the suspect and an accomplice were targeting pedestrians along Muratina Road.
The incident occurred when the duo accosted a man heading to Al-Hidaya Mosque for prayers on Jam Street, robbing him of his mobile phone at gunpoint. The victim raised an alarm, prompting a swift response from police officers on patrol nearby.
Police engaged the suspects in a brief chase, during which one was shot and killed. A homemade firearm capable of firing was recovered at the scene. However, the accomplice managed to escape, reportedly injured, and fled with the stolen mobile phone.
The body of the deceased was moved to the mortuary for identification and further investigations. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the second suspect and urged members of the public with relevant information to report to the nearest police station.
In a related incident on the same day in Dandora, two suspects narrowly escaped death after being attacked by an irate mob during a botched robbery. The suspects were accused of attempting to rob a pedestrian of their mobile phone around 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. An alarm raised by the victim alerted residents, who assaulted the suspects with stones and sticks.
Police arrived in time to rescue the injured suspects, who were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Law enforcement officials condemned the mob justice, emphasizing that such actions are criminal and undermine the rule of law.
Amid an anticipated rise in robberies during the back-to-school season, Nairobi police have intensified patrols in urban areas. They also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Law enforcement agencies continue to advocate for community cooperation in addressing crime while discouraging mob lynching, emphasizing the importance of allowing legal processes to take their course.
