Suspected gangster killed as detectives recover AK-47 stolen from Mavoko police officer

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15- A police AK-47 rifle stolen during a violent attack on an officer in Mavoko nine months ago has been recovered after a suspected gangster was shot dead in a fierce gun battle with detectives in Machakos County.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the firearm was recovered in the Mashokani area of Matungulu Sub-County along the Koma–Kenol Highway, where detectives had cornered a gang suspected of terrorising residents.

According to the DCI, the detectives, acting on actionable intelligence, flagged down a Toyota Harrier carrying the suspects.

Instead of surrendering, the gang opened fire, prompting detectives to return fire and triggering a fierce shootout.

One suspect, who was armed with an AK-47, was fatally wounded during the exchange of gunfire, while his accomplice, armed with a pistol, escaped and remains the subject of a police manhunt.

“Recovered from the fallen suspect was an AK-47 rifle, loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition,” the DCI said.

Preliminary investigations established that the rifle was the same weapon stolen from a police officer during a violent robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.

During the earlier attack, three armed men reportedly accosted the officer while he was guarding a residence in Athi River.

The attackers shot him in the chest and both legs before fleeing with his AK-47, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, as well as his mobile phone.

DCI said a search of the suspects’ Toyota Harrier also uncovered eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches.

Crime Scene Investigation officers processed the scene and collected evidence for further analysis, while the body of the slain suspect was transferred to the Kangundo Level 4 Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.

The DCI said detectives had launched a hot pursuit for the escaped suspect as investigations continued.

“As the escaped suspect remains on the run, detectives are leaving no stone unturned in the hunt to bring him to justice and unravel the gang’s wider criminal network,” the agency said.