Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has unveiled the arrest of two suspects connected to a daring and violent robbery at an M-Pesa shop.

The suspects were apprehended after CCTV footage showed them entering an M-Pesa shop in Maritati Centre, Timau, wearing jungle military uniforms and carrying two AK-47 rifles.

They demanded that the attendant open the door, and when she hesitated, they shot at her, though she narrowly avoided the bullet and managed to escape into a nearby room.

"I am not going anywhere, I am just opening the door. I can't find the keys, but I am looking for them," the petrified agent said.

In a statement obtained by , the DCI confirmed that the two suspects continued with their plan even after the agent fled the scene.

"But determined to execute their robbery mission, the gang went on to smash the glass shelf that housed mobile phones, making off with 15 smartphones," the DCI statement read in part.

The DCI further stated that as the suspects fled the scene, they allegedly fired at a customer approaching the shop, unaware of the robbery, wounding him in the right hip.

A second bullet struck another victim in the left arm. Before their arrest, the suspects had fled to Buuri East, where they were believed to be involved in a violent robbery that had caused unrest in the area.

Their capture followed reports of gunfire near Mungania Shopping Centre.

"Quick on their feet, detectives quickly pieced together the situation, discovering that the robbers were robbing a member of the National Police Reserve (NPR). In a bold act of defence, the officer fired two warning shots into the air," DCI stated.

The investigative unit said the suspects fled after authorities responded quickly, leaving behind their weapon.

During the investigation, detectives located the suspects' abandoned getaway vehicle, a Toyota Vitz, near the scene.

"A female suspect, Christian Saina Korosian, was cornered as she attempted to make her escape from the car. Also captured was her accomplice, Moses Kayiok Noomeyo, who was netted while trying to hide in a nearby house," DCI added.

"In the abandoned gateway vehicle, detectives recovered jungle green trousers, matching those worn by the robbers as captured by a CCTV during the robbery incident."

The suspects are in custody and being processed as they await their court appearance. Meanwhile, the seized firearm and ammunition are being held as evidence, while detectives continue to follow leads to apprehend accomplices who escaped.

In a different incident, a CCTV camera at a water ATM shop in Kitengela, Kajiado County, recorded a man stealing a mobile phone while posing as a customer.

After taking the phone, he walked away, blending in with other customers to avoid detection.

Online, many Kenyans mocked the thief, with some noting that it’s common for criminals to wear hats in an attempt to conceal their identity.

Source: TUKO.co.ke