Four gangsters were shot dead in a shootout with the police in Embu Town on Tuesday morning.

The gangsters had just raided Mastermind Tobacco Company offices on Kubukubu Road when they were accosted by Administration Police officers on guard, leading to the shootout.

One gangster was killed inside the offices. Another was gunned down as he tried to escape using a saloon car parked outside.

Two escaped and headed towards the neighbouring Blue Valley Estate on foot. The police pursued them and another shootout ensued in the estate.

The fleeing gangsters stormed into a residential building and tried to use the occupants as human shields.

Tension high

Tension was high in the estate as the officers smoked them out using tear gas.

Overwhelmed by the fumes, the gangsters staggered out and tried to fire at the officers. The police responded swiftly, killing them on the spot.

Police found three guns - an AK-47 rifle and two pistols, a a Ceska and a Taurus, on the criminals. Also found on them were 63 bullets.

In Guyo Qorsa village, seven bandits shot dead a 13-year-old boy before they disappeared into Marsabit forest.

The bandits emerged from the forest and confronted the boy, who was accompanied by his mother, and started hitting the two with the butts of AK-47 rifles.

The boy tried to escape and was shot from behind. The mother was injured.