MURDER PROBE

Police: We have clues on killers of our colleague in Kayole

Constable Mayaka was shot at least four times by the gang

In Summary
  • The team visited the scene where the shooting happened and reviewed CCTV footage that captured the shooting before concluding it was a robbery gone bad.
  • Investigators say the gang was operating using two motorcycles at the time of the incident with one carrying two pillion passengers and the other with only a rider.
Constable David Mayaka of DCI Makadara who was shot and killed by suspected thugs on Tuesday August 8, 2023 in Kayole, Nairobi- Handout
Constable David Mayaka of DCI Makadara who was shot and killed by suspected thugs on Tuesday August 8, 2023 in Kayole, Nairobi- Handout

A team of detectives has been set up to pursue a gang of three that shot and killed their colleague in an attack in Kayole, Nairobi.

The team says they have a clue on the killers after analysing spent cartridges collected from the scene where constable David Mayaka of DCI Makadara was gunned down in the Mihango area on Tuesday night.

The bullets, according to a police officer aware of the issue said had been linked to an ex-convict.

Officials handling the matter said the ex-convict has also been linked to two other robberies in the area.

“We understand he and his gang have escaped this area and are hiding in the Githurai area. We want them to surrender,” an officer based at Nairobi Area DCI said.

The team visited the scene where the shooting happened and reviewed CCTV footage that captured the shooting before concluding it was a robbery gone bad.

Investigators say the gang was operating using two motorcycles at the time of the incident with one carrying two pillion passengers and the other with only a rider.

Mayaka’s wife Hellen Kemunto is admitted to the hospital after being hit in the left thigh. Mayaka was shot in the abdomen and died at the scene.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said they are pursuing good leads on the gang for justice in the shooting.

“We have a clue on the gang and we will ensure justice,” he said.

CCTV footage emerged showing the moment Mayaka was shot dead by the gunmen.

The disturbing clip also captured the moment a police vehicle arrived at the scene of the shooting shortly afterward but drove off without offering help despite desperate pleas from the slain detective's wife.

The couple had stopped in the Hurlingham area(Mihang'o) to fix a puncture on their car when three men on a motorcycle pulled up and shot them.

The officer is heard in the footage pleading with the armed thugs to take whatever they wanted but one is heard saying "piga yeye" (shoot him).

"Tafadhali shika, shika, please! (please take all these take, take)," the officer is heard pleading as the gang approached them."

The same gang had passed the area twice and police believe they were scouting before riding to where the slain officer was fixing the left tyre with the help of the wife.

It is not clear what prompted the gang to shoot at the officer with rage.

Four shots rent the air in the ensuing scuffle before the thugs sped off on a motorbike leaving the wife screaming for help.

She had been shot in the thigh after being robbed of her mobile phone.

The wife ran away before coming back screaming for help to take the bleeding officer to hospital.

Mayaka’s colleagues described him as a humble and hardworking officer.

Police say the gang was on a random robbery spree when they met the couple who were headed home then.

But the team says they are open to other theories.

A team of detectives was sent from Nairobi Area to back up their Kayole counterparts in pursuing the gang.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.

Cases of armed robberies are on the rise in some parts of the city. Police authorities are battling gangs that are on the loose seeking money.

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