A police officer was fatally stabbed during a robbery in Dandora, Nairobi, in the early hours of Saturday. Constable Layford Gitonga, who was attached to Dandora Police Station, lost his life while off duty.
The incident happened at around 1 a.m. in Dandora Phase Three. According to reports from police sources, Gitonga was walking alone when he was confronted by robbers.
It is believed that he resisted the robbery attempt, leading to a tragic confrontation. During the attack, the assailants stabbed him in the chest and took his mobile phone.
Gitonga died on the spot before help could reach him. His body was later moved to the mortuary where a post-mortem will be conducted to support further investigations.
The robbers reportedly fled into the nearby dumpsite, a location known for being used as a hideout by criminals in the area. Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects, but no arrests had been made by Saturday evening.
Officers said they were following several leads, but so far the search has not yielded any major breakthrough.
The killing of the officer has caused fear among residents, with many worried about their safety, especially at night. Cases of robbery in Dandora and other informal parts of Nairobi have continued to rise, and residents feel more vulnerable when even police officers are not spared by criminals.
Authorities have again reminded the public not to fight back during robberies to avoid such deadly outcomes.
While the advice is seen by some as controversial, police argue that handing over property is better than risking one’s life.
Meanwhile, another incident involving police occurred on Friday night in Kilifi County, where ten police officers were injured in a road accident.
Their Land Cruiser veered off the road and rolled into a ditch near Timboni Maweni. The crash happened while the officers were on official duty.
Emergency services arrived quickly, and the officers were taken to a nearby hospital where they received treatment.
They were later released in stable condition.All firearms that were inside the police vehicle were recovered and properly accounted for, according to local authorities.
The rise in accidents involving police vehicles has sparked concerns over safety standards, with critics blaming poor roads, vehicle conditions, and fatigue.
Both incidents have raised fresh questions about the challenges faced by police officers in Kenya, whether on the streets facing robbers or on the road performing their duties.
