Policeman victim of Kenya crime wave

Nairobi has been nicknamed "Nairobbery"

Kenyan police are investigating the killing of one of the country's most senior officers, Njiru Kianda, in a shooting in Nairobi early on Monday morning.

Mr Kianda, who was a senior deputy police commissioner, was attacked by a group of gunmen as he sat in his car after dropping a colleague off at his home.

They ransacked his car and disappeared into the night

Peter Kimanthi
Police spokesman

"A few" people have been detained in connection with the murder but none has yet been charged, said police spokesman, Peter Kimanthi.

Just two weeks ago, another senior police officer was killed in Nairobi.

Correspondents say the murder of Kenya's third most senior police officer will increase Nairobi residents' security concerns.

Exposed

Several gunmen dragged Mr Kianda from his car, shot him in the neck and made off with his jacket, Mr Kimanthi told the BBC's Focus on Africa.

"They ransacked his car and disappeared into the night," he said.

Mr Kimanthi said he was not sure whether the off-duty Mr Kianda was armed when attacked but said he had not put up any resistance.

The incident happened in the Bahati district of Kenya's crime-ridden capital.

Mr Kimanthi denied that Nairobi - nicknamed "Nairobbery" by some - was unsafe.

"It is hard to eliminate crime altogether," he said. "Police officers, like any other person are exposed to the dangers of crime."