Police kill three suspected robbers in Kisumu

Three suspected robbers were on Thursday gunned down by police at Kisian on Kisumu-Busia highway while one escaped with gunshot wounds and another arrested.

Kisumu Central police chief Peter Omanwa said the five robbers were trailed from Bondo in Siaya County where they were believed to have committed a crime.

The registration number of their car was circulated and the flying squad who were trailing them cornered them on the highway.

“The suspects were ordered to surrender but they defied and opened fire. The police responded and gunned two down,” said Mr Omanwa.

An AK 47, 10 rounds of ammunition and mobile phones were recovered.

Mr Omanwa said the five were also planning to carry out a robbery at Mamboleo on Thursday evening.

A resident David Odhiambo said there are many robbery cases in the area and thanked the police for responding faster.

“We cannot be struggling to make our hard earned cash but some want to take it away easily. The Police should continue with the good job,” said Mr Odhiambo.

Mrs Christine Ochieng, a victim of robbery, was shocked to see those who had robbed her, together with her husband a month ago, lying by the road in a pool of blood.

Mrs Ochieng said the criminals with the same vehicle registration number KBB 095T had stopped them in August claiming their vehicle had been used in a criminal activity.

“When we pulled over, they handcuffed me and took all the money I had including the little I had in my M-PESA account. They kidnapped my husband and later abandoned him by the road after stealing every cash he had,” she said.

Mrs Ochieng added that she was relieved justice had been served for them and other victims.

The same vehicle was also used to rob one, Francis Otieno on September 23 stealing Sh300, 000 and a laptop from him.

The incident happened barely a month after four suspects were shot barely 100 meters from where the trio were shot on Thursday.

A while back, four robbers were shot dead at Majengo after they robbed a businessman in Kisumu.

Meanwhile, police have been accused of colluding with criminals to steal from Kisumu residents.

Kisumu residents’ voice chairman Audi Ogada claimed that officers were abetting robbery and rape in the town.

“A police officer worked with three criminals who raided Kiboswa village and stole from people at gun point,’ ’he said.

He also cited a case in which a family was robbed Sh470, 000 by a person believed to be a police officer.