This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 26, 2019, a police operation in Katani, Machakos County led to the death of a gunman linked to the murder of two women.
According to reports, the gunman had shot and killed a 60-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter-in-law on Saturday. The victims were identified as Ann Katita and Purity Wanjiru, who were shot in the head and died on the spot.
Their son and husband, Fredrick Mwangi, was also shot and injured in the leg during the attack. The gunmen had grabbed the women's purses and escaped.
Following the incident, detectives from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit mounted an operation in the area and arrested a General Service Unit officer linked to the gun. The officer was later killed in a shootout.
Police had raised concerns over a series of incidents involving AK 47 rifles in the area, which are usually used by security agencies. Ballistic tests were conducted, leading the officers to the arrested colleague and subsequent shootout.
Athi River sub-county commander Samuel Mukuusi stated that they are looking for more suspects in the case.
