Police launch manhunt for suspects who stormed Ondisore Market on motorcycles and shot two victims before fleeing with undisclosed amount of cash.
Two people were injured in an armed robbery at an M-Pesa shop in Ondisore Market, Gem Wagai sub-county, Siaya County, in a brazen nighttime attack that has left residents shaken and police racing to track down the assailants.
Police said the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, when five armed men riding two motorcycles with concealed number plates stormed the shop and opened fire, injuring two individuals before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The gang, believed to have been armed with pistols and other crude weapons, executed the attack with what witnesses described as military precision before fleeing the scene.
According to police reports, the assailants arrived at the bustling market center during the evening hours when many businesses were still open. They reportedly targeted the M-Pesa shop due to the large sums of cash typically held at such establishments during peak business hours.
The injured victims were rushed to St. David Community Health Centre for emergency treatment before being referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further management of their injuries. Medical sources confirmed that one victim sustained a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, while the second suffered a gunshot injury to the left thigh. Both are reported to be in stable condition and are responding well to treatment.
Authorities have since launched a manhunt for the five suspects, who remain at large. Police have appealed to members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, noting that the motorcycles used in the crime had their number plates deliberately obscured to complicate identification efforts.
Siaya County Police Commander, speaking on the incident, assured residents that security agencies are working around the clock to apprehend the gang and bring them to justice. He also urged business owners, particularly those operating M-Pesa shops and other cash-intensive enterprises, to enhance their security measures and avoid keeping large sums of money on their premises late into the evening.
The incident has sparked concern among residents of Ondisore Market and the wider Gem Wagai sub-county, with some expressing fears over the rising cases of armed robberies targeting mobile money shops in the region. Local leaders have called for increased police patrols and the establishment of a permanent security post in the area to deter such criminal activities.
Business owners in the market have also raised alarm over their safety, noting that the presence of armed gangs poses a significant threat to their livelihoods. Some have suggested that security cameras and improved lighting in the market area could help deter criminals and aid in identifying suspects in future incidents.
The attack in Siaya comes amid heightened concerns over security in various parts of the country, with police recently announcing intensified operations targeting criminal gangs involved in armed robberies and other violent crimes. The National Police Service has assured the public that resources are being deployed to hotspots to restore calm and ensure the safety of citizens.
As investigations continue, police have cordoned off the scene of the crime and are combing the area for evidence that could help identify the suspects. The injured victims remain under medical care, with doctors optimistic about their full recovery.
Residents of Ondisore Market have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station as efforts to track down the five armed men intensify in the coming days.
