Makongeni residents have decried the runaway insecurity in the estate that has almost abruptly brought business to a standstill following the cold blood killing of a popular businessman on Friday evening.
James Ndung'u alias Baba Sam was brutally murdered by three armed gangsters who shot and killed him in front of his wife, 9-year old son and two customers.
The 55-year old man who was operating a wholesale shop at Makongeni Phase 5 is said to have been accosted by the trio at around 9pm as they were preparing to close and retire home.
Mary Wanjiku who was shopping during the incidence says that three thugs stormed into the shop with one wielding a pistol and another an AK-47 and ordered everyone who was inside to immediately lie down. The third one kept vigil at the door.
"The one holding a pistol went straight to where the victim was while his two other colleagues stayed at the entrance. However, Baba Sam managed to wrestle him to the ground and it was at that juncture that his colleagues stormed in and shot Ndung’u on his belly to rescue their accomplice from his grip," said Wanjiku.
Joyce Wairimu alias Mama Sam, the deceased's wife, was at pain to explain how the whole incident unfolded.
"We were just about five of us inside the shop. Myself, my husband, my son and two lady customers who were packing their shopping in preparation to leave. My son pleaded with them to take all the money and not to shoot his father but it looks like they were on a mission," she said tearfully.
She says that after the incident the heartless thugs emptied the cashbox into a small polythene bag before leaving.
Mr Kioko who operates a butchery opposite the deceased's shop, says that the culprits fled in two motorborbikes towards Makongeni Phase Four which is notorious for mugging and early night robberies.
Makongeni Police Station officers who are barely 3 kilometres away from the businessman's premises, are currently on spot for abetting sale of illicit brews and allowing the notorious Thika 2TS Sacco matatus to continue operating with impunity.