A fifty-five-year-old man nearly died after snatching a handgun from a robber who had attacked him in Nyeri county.
Irungu Mwangi, according to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), was ambushed by the assailant at Chaka market around 8 pm.
According to reports, the suspect ordered him to lie on the ground with the AK-47 pointed toward his chest.
“Irungu was walking home at around 8 pm last night and on reaching Chaka primary school, was accosted by a lone gunman who pointed an AK-47 assault rifle to his chest, and ordered him to lie down without hesitation, if he knew what was good for him,” DCI said.
When the thug demanded money, Irungu took out the sole Sh200 note he had and delivered it to him, however, the thug wanted more money, but he insisted that he only had that much.
The thug bent forward and began ransacking Irungu’s pockets, unconvinced, with one foot on his back, he placed the handgun on the ground.
Irungu then slammed the assailant to the ground and grabbed the firearm, resulting in a brief struggle as the thug sought in vain to recover control of the weapon.
It was established that the firearm, serial number AK47 S/No. KP 4915512 with a magazine loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, was stolen from Nairutia police station in Kieni West-Sub-county, on April, 15, 2022, and reported vide OB 05/18/04/2022 at the same station.
A police beret belonging to the Administration Police Service was also found at the scene of the altercation.
A manhunt is presently underway for the suspect.