A robbery attempt in Yala town, Siaya County, turned deadly on Monday night after two suspected gangsters were shot dead and a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer injured during a violent confrontation.
Police reports indicate that the incident occurred at around 10:00 p.m. when two men stormed a shop in Yala market, allegedly intending to rob a female shopkeeper. The suspects, described as middle-aged men, are said to have threatened the shop owner and attempted to steal money and goods before she raised an alarm.
The alarm attracted a DCI officer from Yala Police Station, who was on routine patrol nearby. According to investigators, the officer responded immediately to the distress call but was attacked by the suspects as they attempted to escape. One of the assailants struck him on the chest with a metal rod, prompting him to draw his firearm.
In the ensuing scuffle, the officer opened fire, fatally wounding both suspects on the spot. The injured officer was later rushed to Yala Sub-County Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were moved to the hospital mortuary pending identification and autopsy.
Gem Yala Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula confirmed the incident, noting that the officer acted in self-defense after being assaulted by the suspects. “The suspects were armed and violent. The officer was left with no option but to use his firearm to protect himself and the victim,” Wafula said. He added that police had recovered crude weapons at the scene.
Authorities have so far identified one of the suspects as Charles Odhiambo Ojwang’, popularly known by his alias “Buda.” Police said Ojwang’ was a well-known figure in the area and believed to be part of a gang that had been behind several robberies in Yala and surrounding villages. The second suspect remains unidentified, though investigators are working to establish his identity and any potential links to ongoing criminal activities.
The attempted robbery and its violent outcome have reignited concerns among Yala residents, many of whom say they have lived in fear of organized gangs that target small traders and pedestrians, particularly at night. Local business owners have appealed to police to strengthen security patrols and crack down on gang activity that has disrupted business operations in the town.
“We are scared to operate late in the evening because these gangs take advantage of darkness to attack. We hope police will increase night patrols after this incident,” said one shopkeeper, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Community leaders echoed the sentiments, urging security agencies to step up their operations to prevent further loss of life and restore confidence among traders and residents. At the same time, they appealed to young people in the county to shun crime and focus on constructive activities.
The incident also highlights the dangers faced by police officers working in volatile environments where armed gangs often confront law enforcement. Rights activists, however, have urged authorities to ensure transparency in investigations, noting that the use of lethal force should always be the last resort.
Meanwhile, police in Siaya have assured residents that security will be intensified. Commander Wafula emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the two suspects were part of a larger criminal network. “We are pursuing leads to find out if they had other accomplices. Our priority is to ensure Yala remains safe,” he said.
For now, the town is on high alert as residents come to terms with the bloody confrontation, which underscored both the growing threat of gang activity and the challenges security officers face in keeping communities safe.
