Police in Kisumu on Monday shot dead a suspected gun dealer at Orongo village in the outskirts of the city.
Kisumu police boss Christopher Mushimba said police received a tip off from a member of the public and raided the house.
Mshimba said the informant had been approached by the dealer to buy the gun, which he added is home-made.
He said police made arrangements and sent one of their own to pose as a customer where they recovered two home-made guns with four rounds of ammunition.
“We sent out one of the officers to pose as a customer with the person who tipped us. Our armed officers laid an ambush and we struck,” he said.
Addressing journalists in his office, Mshimba said the suspect fired once upon realising that he has been cornered by the police, but missed the target.
He was gunned on the spot, and his house thoroughly searched.
“Our officers had to shoot him since he was firing at them but fortunately he missed. He is dead and we will not relent until the city is safe,” he said.
Mshimba said the recovered gun is tactfully arranged and can fire and kill.
The officer said they are conducting investigations to establish the source of the guns.
He thanked the public who are volunteering information to the police to help in fighting crime in the lakeside city.