A police operation targeting a suspect wanted over the armed robbery at ChaiiWali restaurant in Westlands ended in a fatal shootout on Monday evening, with detectives killing the man in Joska, Machakos County and recovering a pistol believed to have been used in criminal activities.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspect as Vincent Ochieng, saying he had been under investigation over a string of violent robberies. Detectives believe he was part of a gang behind attacks reported in Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos counties.
According to the DCI, the suspect was traced to a house in Joska Town where he had reportedly been staying at his girlfriend's home, believing the location would keep him away from investigators. Acting on intelligence, detectives from DCI headquarters joined officers from DCI Matungulu and local police to carry out the operation.
The raid took place in the Mapema area of Joska along the road leading to Busy Bee School, where officers had surrounded the house after receiving information about the suspect's whereabouts.
Police said detectives announced themselves and instructed those inside the house to open the door. Instead, the suspect allegedly fired at the officers through a kitchen window, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
According to investigators, officers returned fire in self-defence before securing the house. When they entered, they found the suspect lying inside with fatal gunshot wounds.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin said preliminary investigations had connected Ochieng to the armed robbery at ChaiiWali restaurant in Westlands, adding that detectives were still pursuing other suspects linked to the attack.
"Preliminary investigations strongly link the suspect to the recent daylight robbery along General Mathenge Road in Spring Valley, Westlands, where armed thugs terrorised diners, snatching phones and valuables before fleeing on motorcycles," confirmed DCI.
The robbery drew public attention after CCTV footage circulated online showing armed men storming the restaurant, threatening customers and stealing mobile phones and other valuables before escaping on motorcycles.
Matungulu OCPD Peter Gichohi said the suspect had been using Joska as a hideout after allegedly carrying out robberies in Nairobi, noting that detectives were still tracking his accomplices.
During the operation, officers recovered a Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, additional live rounds, two spent cartridges and three mobile phones believed to be important to the investigation.
The DCI said the firearm had been forwarded to the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory for ballistic examination to establish whether it had been used in other criminal incidents.
The suspect's body was moved to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital mortuary as investigations continue.
Residents said the operation caught many by surprise. Neighbour Mary Kaluki recalled seeing heavily armed officers surround the compound before residents were ordered to remain indoors as gunshots rang out.
Kaluki said Ochieng had lived quietly in the neighbourhood and appeared to be a friendly neighbour. She added that residents did not know where he worked and that he was married with one child.