DCI Shoot Dead Machete-Wielding Thug In Showdown At Nairobi Church

A thug who attacked a middle-aged woman was shot dead by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday night, December 21 as he fled from the scene of the incident along Muratina road in Mathare, Nairobi County. 

The DCI reported on Thursday, December 22 that the thug who was part of a three-man gang that had been terrorizing residents in the larger Mathare, Pangani and Huruma areas, had attacked the woman who was walking home leaving her sprawled by the roadside, screaming for help.

After taking away the victim’s mobile phone and other valuables, the three walked away casually towards Mlango Kubwa, as members of the public who had witnessed the daring attack raised alarm. 

An aerial view of Mathare slums. /SOCIAL DOCUMENTARY NETWORK

"Luckily, sleuths based at Pangani police station who were on patrol responded to the distress calls just on time, as the boisterous gang took leave, having accomplished their mission. Or so they thought.  

"The swift reaction by the sleuths was, therefore, an unpleasant surprise to the Mathare three, as they came face to face with two lanky officers of towering height, recently enlisted in the service," stated the DCI in part.

Shocked by the sudden turn of events, the machete-wielding thugs scattered towards Mathare’s Redeemed Gospel Church. 

But as the determined officers gave chase closely behind, one of the thugs turned back and attacked the corporal leading the chase with a machete, missing his jugular vein by a whisker. 

"In a swift rejoinder, the officer opened fire fatally wounding the suspect as his two accomplices dropped their machetes and took flight to the house of God while flying their arms high in surrender. 

"At this point, the determined officers got persuaded to abort their mission and gave the thugs hiding behind the pulpit the second lease of life to preach the good gospel and become productive members of society," added the DCI.

Three machetes, daggers, two swords and other crude weapons used by the thugs to terrorize innocent members of the public were recovered by the detectives. Also recovered from the fallen thug was Ksh12,307 (USD100) suspected to have been stolen from a victim of crime. 

Meanwhile, the fallen thug’s body was moved to the City mortuary pending identification and postmortem.

Also in Mathare on Monday, November 21, six suspected muggers were arrested by officers on patrol who ambushed them at their hideout in Mathare, Nairobi as part of its ongoing crackdown on criminals causing nightmares to the city residents.

The six were found in possession of four knives, one of which is a special one resembling that one used by military officers in combat.

Authorities warned the public to be wary of their surroundings as they put the thugs on notice, even during the festive season.

The incident came despite various government measures to curb the menace including reorganising the Nairobi Police administration and officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) deployed to Nairobi by order of President William Ruto.