Four suspected armed robbers were shot dead during a fire exchange with detectives along the Eldoret–Kiplombe–Soy Road in Uasin Gishu County, where police recovered firearms, ammunition and other tools believed to have been used in a string of violent robberies across the region.
The suspects were killed during an intelligence-led operation mounted by detectives from the Operation Action Team (OAT), who were supported by local police officers after receiving information from members of the public.
According to police, the suspects had been posing as police officers while targeting motorists and other road users across the Rift Valley region. The shootout occurred after Detectives laid an ambush along the road, and when the suspects arrived, they allegedly opened fire after realising they had been cornered.
Officers returned fire, triggering a fierce exchange that left four of the suspects dead at the scene.
Two other suspects escaped on motorcycles and fled towards Eldoret town. Police said a manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest them. A search of the scene led to the recovery of a Falcon pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition, a homemade firearm, a spent cartridge, a hammer, crude housebreaking implements, balaclava masks, gloves and ropes.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were members of an organised criminal gang that has been operating across the Rift Valley since late last year. The gang is believed to have impersonated police and military officers to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims before carrying out armed robberies, allegedly using an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.
