A suspected gangster was shot dead in Machakos County after detectives intercepted a vehicle carrying a gang believed to have been terrorising residents, recovering an AK-47 rifle allegedly stolen from a police officer during a robbery in November 2025.
The incident happened in Mashokani, Matungulu Sub-County, along the Koma–Kenol Highway, where detectives acting on intelligence had traced the suspects.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said officers flagged down a Toyota Harrier believed to have been carrying the gang, but the occupants allegedly refused to stop and opened fire at the detectives.
"The detectives returned fire, triggering a fierce shootout in which one suspect, armed with an AK-47, was fatally wounded," the agency said.
The suspect's accomplice, who was reportedly armed with a pistol, escaped during the exchange of gunfire as detectives gave chase.
An AK-47 rifle loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition was recovered from the slain suspect, with preliminary investigations linking the weapon to a violent robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.
During the earlier incident, a police officer was attacked while guarding a residence in Athi River before the attackers escaped with his firearm.
"They shot him on the chest and both legs before escaping with his AK-47 rifle, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, and his mobile phone," the agency said.
Detectives are now examining the recovery of the firearm as they seek to establish whether the slain suspect was directly involved in the earlier attack and other crimes linked to the gang.
A search of the Toyota Harrier also yielded eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches. The items were taken by detectives as part of investigations into the activities of the suspected gang.
Crime Scene Investigation officers processed the area after the shooting to document and preserve evidence from the scene.
The body of the suspected gangster was later taken to the mortuary at Kangundo Level 4 Hospital, where it is being held pending a postmortem examination.
Meanwhile, detectives have intensified efforts to track down the suspected accomplice who escaped during the shootout.
Investigators are also looking into the wider network believed to be connected to the gang as they work to establish the source and use of the firearms and other items recovered from the vehicle.
The DCI has appealed to members of the public who may have information that could help identify or locate the escaped suspect to report it through the available channels.