NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15- A police AK-47 rifle stolen during a violent attack on an officer in Mavoko nine months ago has been recovered after a suspected gangster was shot dead in a fierce gun battle with detectives in Machakos County.

📻 Breaking It Down

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the firearm was recovered in the Mashokani area of Matungulu Sub-County along the Koma–Kenol Highway, where detectives had cornered a gang suspected of terrorising residents.

According to the DCI, the detectives, acting on actionable intelligence, flagged down a Toyota Harrier carrying the suspects.

Instead of surrendering, the gang opened fire, prompting detectives to return fire and triggering a fierce shootout.

📌 What You Need to Know

One suspect, who was armed with an AK-47, was fatally wounded during the exchange of gunfire, while his accomplice, armed with a pistol, escaped and remains the subject of a police manhunt.

“Recovered from the fallen suspect was an AK-47 rifle, loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition,” the DCI said.

Preliminary investigations established that the rifle was the same weapon stolen from a police officer during a violent robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.

During the earlier attack, three armed men reportedly accosted the officer while he was guarding a residence in Athi River.

The attackers shot him in the chest and both legs before fleeing with his AK-47, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, as well as his mobile phone.

DCI said a search of the suspects’ Toyota Harrier also uncovered eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya