Police in search of gang that hit Kerarapon in Karen killing one in robbing spree

Police are searching for a gang of at least 10 men that shot and killed one person as they robbed residents of Kerarapon near Nairobi’s Karen estate early Tuesday morning as they left for work.

Residents say the gang, armed with guns, set upon four security guards on 19th Drive and tied them up.

“They then wore the security guards’ reflector jackets and stood in strategic areas where they waited for every resident who was leaving for work. They robbed them at gunpoint,” Mr Jesse Kirongothi, a resident, said.

He said victims were robbed of their money, laptops, phones and other belongings.

Part of the gang is said to have raided the homes near the forest and stole electronics.

“When the police came, the gang escaped into Kibigo Forest. This is where they have always been hiding after committing their robberies” Mr Kirongothi said.

Police combed the nearby Kibigo and Kerarapon forests but did not find the suspects.

“We recovered the electronics and we believe the suspects dropped them as they were escaping,” Ngong OCPD, George Seda said.

VICTIM DIED IN HOSPITAL

One of the victims, a caretaker who was shot three times by the criminals during the attack, died at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Friday afternoon.

Kerarapon is a high-end estate near former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Karen residence, but is administratively in Ngong.

Residents say despite incidences of crime being rampant in the area, the police have not done enough to tame them.

Mr Charles Mahinda, chairman of the Kerarapon Residents Association, said the situation was getting worse and increasing security personnel and equipment would help reduce the crime rate.

“The Kerarapon Police Post does not have a patrol car. We have even taken it upon ourselves to fundraise to buy a motorcycle for the officers. They have really been trying to help us but they do not have the resources,” said Mr Mahinda.

AREA SURROUNDED BY FORESTS

He said insecurity in Kerarapon is made worse by the fact that the area is surrounded by three forests.

Some residents have now called for the area to be fenced off and the Kenya Forest Service to set up a base.

“There is also the challenge of the idle Vet Farm, a government owned piece of land that is unoccupied.

“It is not fenced and it makes it easy for thugs to escape and hide. There have even been reports that women have been dragged into the fields and raped,” said a resident, who did not want to be named.

After the attack, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet tweeted that surveillance had been increased.

“We should see positive change soon. I much appreciate support from residents/public at all levels,” he wrote.

But residents who spoke to the Nation on Saturday, however, said little had changed and called for Mr Boinnet’s intervention.