2 suspected thugs part of a criminal syndicate shot dead in Kisumu following fiery shootout

KISUMU,Kenya, Aug 28 – Two suspected thugs part of a 15 member criminal syndicate in Kisumu were shot dead by police Friday evening following a fiery shootout despite attempts to have them surrender.

According to preliminary reports, the thugs have been terrorizing residents of Ogango, Migosi and Lolwe estates for weeks, brutally assaulting them in their homes before getting away with key household items among other valuables.

A resident had initially raised the red flag after the gang struck their estate, prompting police to lay an ambush.

The situation however quickly escalated after the gang refused to heed police’s call to lay down their weapons responding in a shootout.

“They were ferrying stolen goods and escaping towards Car-wash, Migosi areas….they were challenged by the officers to stop but defied and in response some gang members fired shots at the officers,” read the report in part.

During the incident two suspects were gunned down while attempting to flee. 

“One of the suspects died on the spot while the other was found dead 100 meters from the crime scene,” said Kisumu East sub county police commander James Musyimi.

Crude weapons including machetes, iron bars and crow bars were recovered by police at the scene.

Police say though other suspects fled the scene, it is possible some might be nursing gunshot injuries.

A manhunt has been launched.

Some of the stolen items meanwhile have since been returned to the owners.