Two armed robbers shot dead in Eastleigh, four escape with gunshot wounds

Two armed robbers have been killed while trying to break into a hardware store in Eastleigh Estate, Nairobi.

The two are part of a six gang that broke into the Jamarat hardware on Wednesday night.

DCI boss George Kinoti said the men arrived at the hardware aboard a pickup truck to stage their robbery.

"Police got wind of the robbery and in a bid to clear the city off criminal gangs, responded swiftly and gunned down two of the thugs," he said.

Kinoti said the men who were armed fired at officers who were zeroing on them.

The four others who escaped were left with gunshot wounds.

"The wounds will serve as a stark reminder, of their failed heist at the hands of the Pangani-based crime busters," Kinoti said.

Police recovered a pistol with three rounds of 9mm calibre, claw bars and other crude weapons.

Two water tanks that the thugs had managed to steal from the hardware and were ready for loading on their getaway truck were also recovered.

"Detectives are pursuing the four who escaped while putting other criminals on notice, that the fight against crime will only get intense," he added.

Last month, three suspected armed robbers were killed in a shootout with police in Buruburu.

The trio was spotted riding on an unmarked motorcycle along Outer Ring road past curfew hours.

The suspects allegedly sped off after they were beckoned to stop by the Buruburu-based police officers on patrol.

Crimes linked to boda boda have become rampant across the country, especially in Nairobi.

Numerous videos where gangs use motorbikes to commit crimes have gone viral in social media.