Four suspects killed while making tea

A cup of tea. Tea prices are still depressed making the first half of the year one of the worst performing for Kenya’s top forex earner. PHOTO | FILE | NATION

What you need to know:

  • The four were claimed to have robbed traders at gunpoint in Sambirir location.
  • They robbed a number of traders but their target had escaped and alerted the police.
  • They had milked his cow and started preparing tea when police and the public arrived.

Four robbery suspects were killed Tuesday while making tea in a squatter’s house.

The four were claimed to have robbed traders at gunpoint in Sambirir location.

Witnesses said they were with four others who escaped.

The suspects had strategically positioned themselves at a section of the Chesoi–Kapyego road, usually used by livestock traders.

They were believed to have identified a trader who was to arrive at the market with about Sh300,000.

According to Sambirir location chief Benjamin Kipkemoi, they robbed a number of traders but their target had escaped and alerted the police.

Police arrived almost immediately but the eight had escaped to a house of an illegal Embobut Forest settler.

A 30-minute shootout ensued.

Marakwet police chief Emmanuel Rono said the suspects were from Kakisoo village.

They were identified as Simon Kipkor, 25, Richard Kanda Kitum, 27, Philemon Kirop, 29 and Thomas Kitum, 29. A hunt for their accomplices has started.