Detectives based at Starehe on the evening of Monday, December 6, 2021, gunned down a notorious gang leader who had been terrorizing city residents.
In a statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, December 7, the infamous gang dubbed Katombi gang were known for their impunity across Mathare valley and neighbouring estates.
Before the sleuths pounced on the gang, the outlawed gang leader identified as Ngaruiya and his four accomplices had robbed a pedestrian at gunpoint, making away with his phone and other valuable items.
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"So daring was Ngaruiya and his Katombi mates one of whom was identified as Kabuda, that they staged the attack at 4:00 PM(EAT) along Mau Mau road in Bondeni, Mathare sub-county.
"Detectives got wind of the attack and a contingent of crime busters drawn from DCI Starehe, was immediately mobilized," the statement in read in part.
After getting wind of their activities, the detectives began a serious manhunt for the miscreant gang for close to two hours when the Corporal-in-charge of the operation spotted them.
They were spotted deep inside the informal settlement next to the Mathare river although the thugs were still unaware of the happenings.
The detectives then began a chase assault on the five-member gang.
Ngaruiya fired at the fast-approaching detectives in a move to keep them at bay as they ran in different directions.
Women who were brewing local brews along the river banks ran for their lives leaving behind their tools of trade such as drums of boiling froth and jerrycans of the highly potent spirit unattended.
According to DCI, Ngaruiya who kept firing at the officers was fatally wounded which dealt a blow to the infamous gang members.
"The other four thugs dived into the river infested with raw sewage and swam downstream to save their skin. Detectives based at Starehe have issued the known thugs an ultimatum to surrender within 24 hours, failure to which they will suffer dire consequences," the statement added.
