A businessman was shot dead and an unknown amount of cash stolen from him at Ziwani village in Tana River District.

Mr Sammy Karissa, 30, was attacked by a gangster in his shop on Monday night. His brother escaped unhurt.

Tana River police boss Iregi Ngatia said that after the killing, the criminal proceeded to rob other prominent people in the village.

"The villagers were terrorised for several hours by the criminal. They included Ziwani Secondary School head- teacher, who was robbed of more than Sh3,000 at his house. We suspect the gangster, who is yet to be identified, had a local contact," Mr Ngatia said.

Mr Ngatia asked businessmen to stop keeping large amounts of cash at home to avoid being attacked by criminals.

Kipini ward councillor Sheriff Abdulkadiri asked the Government to set up a police camp in Ziwani to curb crime.

"Most of the people in Ziwani, including those selling miraa, have been attacked by gangsters. We are asking the Government to set up a police camp at Ziwani to deal with robberies," Mr Abdulkadiri said.

Thieves armed

Elsewhere, staff of a Mombasa-based bakery were robbed of Sh58,000 as they drove back to their office after a delivery.

Kwale police boss Nelson Okioga said the four workers from Nesfood Industries were driving along the Kwale-Kinango road when they were flagged down at Marere bridge by unknown people on Monday evening.

"According to the victims, the thieves were armed with machetes and clubs," he said.