Katombi gang leader gunned down in Mathare

One more member of the infamous Katombi gang, that has been terrorising city residents, was gunned down by police on patrol in Mathare slums.

The suspect popularly known as Fadhili Mgaza engaged officers in a shootout, Tuesday, leading to his death.

Fadhili was one of the four gangsters who were lucky to escape from a shootout in Mathare last December, when their de-facto leader identified as Ngaruiya, was felled by police bullets.

The gang had then attacked pedestrians along Mau Mau Road in Bondeni, Mathare.

Starehe police boss Julius Kiragu said the other gang members then scampered by swimming in a sewer line.

“They regrouped under Fadhili’s leadership and continued to terrorise city residents in Huruma, Mathare and Pangani areas. Detectives took notice and acted," he said.

He said as police conducted foot patrols, they came face to face with the wanted suspect who was on a motorbike, terrorising pedestrians at Mlango Kubwa, in Mathare.

Kiragu said immediately Fadhili spotted the officers, he shot at them as the bike sped towards the informal settlement prompting a chase that led to his killing.

His accomplice who was riding the bike wobbled unsteadily for a few metres and managed to escape as police pursued him.

The body was moved to the mortuary after residents identified him.

Fadhili’s demise has left the Katombi gang heavily wounded, after losing their second commander in less than two months.

Katombi is a criminal gang that has been trying to set up base in Mathare in competition with others in neighbouring Kayole and Korogocho slums.

Police said they have profiled all the members of the gang and efforts to trace them are ongoing.

Kiragu however appealed to the remnants of the gang to surrender and pay for their crimes before they are completely annihilated.

A firearm loaded with three rounds of 9mm calibre was recovered from the slain suspect.

Police say they have enhanced operations in the city to tame gangs that have been terrorising residents.