A police constable in Kilifi County was grievously wounded after being ambushed by a gang of suspected robbers in Kiwadani, Kilifi Town, early Wednesday morning. According to reports, the officer was walking to work at approximately 5:30 a.m. when he was surrounded by several assailants, who launched a violent attack along a footpath. He sustained deep cuts to his head, forearm, and elbow before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.
Security agencies responding to the incident say the neighborhood has seen a troubling rise in gang activity, particularly in the pre-dawn hours. Investigators are exploring the possibility that the attackers were carrying out a broader robbery spree, targeting early risers and commuters.
Kilifi County’s Security Committee has since launched a concentrated crackdown in Kiwadani, deploying additional forces and increasing patrols to flush out criminal elements believed to be operating in the area.
Local police are calling on residents to cooperate closely with law enforcement by reporting suspicious behavior — especially in isolated areas — and providing timely intelligence. Authorities have emphasized that early morning remains a high-risk period, urging the public to avoid walking alone along unlit footpaths.
As investigations proceed, the incident has reignited concerns about the safety of frontline officers in the face of rising gang violence. Security leaders say they will sustain pressure on criminal networks while pushing for stronger community-police partnership to restore calm in Kilifi Town.