Kisii: Police launch manhunt after 9 robbers raid M-Pesa shop, kill guard

Police in Kisii have embarked on a search for nine suspects who raided a mobile money agent in Suneka town, Kisii County, and killed a 65-year-old security officer stationed at the outlet.

Police say the suspects made away with cash of unknown value, with CCTV cameras capturing the daring night time robbery incident that terrified the victims.

The violent robbery captured on CCTV happened on July 10, 2023, a few minutes to 8pm as normal operations were going on and traders were closing their businesses for the day, ready to go home.

A group of men walked into the premises, one of them had a red and white shawl and pretended to be a client.

The mobile money agent outlet was the target and the robbers were seen drawing their guns as they made their way into the shop.

They fired six bullets from an AK47 gun and a confrontation ensued when an unidentified man in an orange coat and 65-year-old Peter Moenga, in a red cap, tried to stop the robbers.

Moenga, who at that time was in a navy blue coat and a red cap, was shot in the back, while the man with an orange coat was hit with a blunt object as the robbers forced their way into the shop.

Inside the mobile money agent shop, cashiers scampered for safety as the robbers who were armed with crude weapons and pistols made away with cash.

The incident took less than 7 minutes before the thieves fled the scene, leaving the staff and residents in utter shock.

Interestingly, the incident took place just half a kilometer from the Suneka Police Station, a three-minute walk away.

At Moenga’s home in Bonanyando, the family is still in disbelief following Monday’s robbery incident that claimed the life of a husband and father.

They say they heard the gunshots, only to later be informed that their kin was the victim.

“Kuna simu nilipata nikaambiwa Suneka ni mbaya, simu nilipata baada ya hapo ni kuwa ndugu yangu ameshootiwa. Nilikimbia hadi hapo nikapata ndugu yangu amepigwa mgongo na akapelekwa hospitali ya Nyangena,” Antony Nyaende, the deceased’s brother explained.

Elmelda Nyanchama, his widow, added: “Hiyo siku nilikuwa hapa nikajaribu kumpigia ikalia hakushika...nikajaribu tena ndio nikapata kumbe alipigwa risasi.”

The family is in anguish as their 65-year-old kin was the breadwinner.

“Serikali tunataka uchunguzi wa kina kuhusu kisa hiki, sisi hapa hatujui tutafanyeje Peter ndio alikuwa tegemeo,” Nyanchama lamented.

Suneka residents are worried about the security situation, with one of them saying; “It was an inside job because tumeskia bunduki walikuwa wanatumia sio ya raia wa kawaida, walikuwa wanatumia AK47, mabunduki ya hali ya juu.”

Andrew Mogire, the Chairman of the Suneka Traders Association, stated: “Tujue vile hii maneno inaendelea kwa sababu tukirudi vile ilikuwa kitambo usalama sio mzuri.”

Detectives in Kisii are searching for the nine robbers, with Kisii DCIO Catherine Njue saying the CCTV footage will aid the officers in gathering evidence as sleuths also recovered three spent cartridges from the crime scene.