Panic has gripped Kiaragana shopping Centre in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, after four masked armed gangsters stormed the area on Thursday.
The thugs stormed local shops at around 8:30pm and stole items.
According to Simon Maina, a victim, the gangsters stole Ksh200,000 and fled on foot .
“At first I thought they were plain clothes police officers because they were armed with AK47 rifles but then they attacked me. This is the second time I have been robbed,” he said.
Mary Gathigia, a witness, said, “They ordered us to lie down before ransacking Maina’s shop. We managed to escape to the local bar and raised an alarm then police officers from Baricho, Kibirigwi and Kabonge arrived.”
Residents said the gangsters shot in the air as they fled.
Peter Kinyua, another witness, said, “I had thought they were police officers. An investigation must be launched.”
Residents urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to deploy a chief to the sub-location, adding it has been seven months since the local assistant chief retired.
“How long does it take to hire an assistant chief,” Mary Muthoni, a resident, asked.
Detectives from Ndia sub-county said they have launched an investigation.
They urged anyone with information about the robbery to come forward.