Starehe-based detectives gunned down a hardcore thug suspected to be the ringleader of a notorious gang that has been giving residents of Mathare and its environs nightmares.

The 22-year-old suspect identified as Charles Gitau Mwangi alias Baroda who had been on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) radar for the past few weeks was shot dead during a fierce gun battle with the police after he defied their order to surrender.

The DCI detectives responded to a distress call from members of the public after Baroda and two accomplices accosted a female victim who was on her way to work at around 8 am.

They attacked the innocent woman in Mathare Mlango Kubwa area and robbed her of her valuables including her mobile phone, before fleeing the scene.

The detectives finally caught up with Baroda as he headed towards the Muthaiga Bridge and asked him to surrender.

Instead of surrendering, Baroda defied the order and pulled out his homemade firearm and a dagger before taking a shot at the police officer who was leading the chase.

On seeing his life in danger, the officer responded in kind and fired back at Baroda fatally wounding him.

His accomplices, on the other hand, were lucky to escape with their dear lives albeit with gunshot wounds.

The police recovered a firearm, two rounds of ammunition, a knife and a mobile phone from Baroda.