Two police officers injured as attackers steal loaded AK-47 rifles in Ruai

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 — Two police officers were seriously injured after a gang of motorcycle-riding assailants attacked them while on beat duties in Ruai, Nairobi, and stole two loaded AK-47 rifles in an incident that has triggered a security alert.

The attackers struck at around 1am on Monday, November 2, leaving the officers with deep cuts to the back of their heads and injuries to their hands.

According to a police incident report filed at Ruai Police Station, members of the public reported the attack before rushing the injured officers to Reale Hospital in Utawala for treatment.

One of the officers was reported to be unresponsive at the time of the hospital assessment, while another was responsive despite sustaining similar head and hand injuries.

Police suspect the attackers used a sharp object during the assault.

“The probable weapon is believed to be a sharp object,” read the police report in part.

The assailants escaped with two AK-47 rifles, each loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.

In a subsequent security alert circulated to officers, police described the theft of the two loaded rifles as a serious security concern and directed officers to exercise heightened vigilance, particularly during patrols and beat duties.

Officers were also urged to report any suspicious activity or information that could assist in recovering the weapons and arresting those responsible.

“Officers on the ground are pursuing efforts to recover the stolen firearms,” the initial police report stated.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Ruai is handling investigations into the incident, with police indicating that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

​Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.