One suspected gangster was killed after a gang allegedly opened fire on detectives during a confrontation in Matungulu, Machakos County, on Friday, August 14.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the incident occurred in the Mashokani area along the Koma-Kenol Highway after detectives, acting on what the agency described as “actionable intelligence”, moved to intercept the suspects.
The suspects were traveling in a Toyota Harrier when detectives flagged down the vehicle, according to the DCI.
Instead of surrendering, the suspects allegedly opened fire at the detectives, triggering a shootout along the highway.
Detectives returned fire, fatally wounding one of the suspects, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle.
Another suspect, who was allegedly armed with a pistol, escaped from the scene and is being pursued by detectives.
The DCI said detectives recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition from the deceased suspect.
Rifle Stolen From Police Officer in 2015
Preliminary investigations established that the recovered rifle had been stolen from a police officer during a robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.
According to the DCI, the officer was guarding a residence in Athi River when three armed men attacked him and escaped with his AK-47 rifle, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
The attackers also reportedly stole the officer’s mobile phone during the incident.
A search of the suspects’ Toyota Harrier led to the recovery of eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches, according to investigators.
Crime Scene Investigation detectives processed the scene before the body was moved to Kagundo Level 4 Hospital mortuary, where it is being held pending an autopsy.
Meanwhile, detectives have launched a manhunt for the escaped suspect as investigations continue into the gang’s wider criminal network.
The DCI said the ongoing investigations will seek to establish the suspects’ involvement in other criminal activities and trace the origin of the items recovered from the vehicle.
