Gunmen on the Run After Shooting, Robbing Ruiru M-Pesa Attendant

Police in Ruiru are pursuing two gunmen who raided an M-Pesa and gas outlet in Membley estate, Kiambu County, shooting an attendant during the escape and making off with more than Ksh600,000 in cash.

The two masked men walked into the business, known as Favour Business Centre, at around 7:30am and drew pistols on two attendants, ordering them to hand over the cash before fleeing the scene, according to CCTV footage of the incident. The robbery itself lasted less than five minutes, but turned violent when attendants and members of the public pursued the suspects as they attempted to escape on a motorcycle.

Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire on the pursuing crowd, firing close to ten rounds in the process. Two bullets struck attendant Jackson Maina in the chest and ribs; he was rushed to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition.

Detectives have not yet made any arrests, and investigators say they are examining whether the robbery has links to a wider criminal syndicate operating in the area. Residents of Membley have called for stepped-up police patrols following the attack, which has renewed concern over the safety of mobile money outlets that routinely handle large amounts of cash.