Police in Kitui have arrested two suspects believed to be part of a gang of six that killed three guards on Tuesday night at Ikanga Market, Kitui South constituency.

Confirming the arrest on Thursday, Kitui County Commissioner John Ondego said the suspects were helping police track down the other members of the killer gang.

Ondego reiterated the government's resolve to protect lives and property especially during the curfew period instituted towards containing Covid-19.

He said that security in the area has been beefed up following the macabre killing of the three night guards.

''What happened is regrettable but from now henceforth, there shall be constant police patrols around here to ensure your safety and that of your property,” Ondego assured the residents.

The criminals reportedly attacked the watchmen with machetes, axes and blunt objects when they were cornered trying to rob shops at Ikanga trading center, hardly 100 meters from Ikanga police post.

Residents said the slain men sustained multiple fatal injuries ranging from panga cuts to broken limbs.

However, they accused area police of insolence saying they were slow to respond even after they were alerted about the incident.

“I got a call from an unknown person in the middle of the night informing me about a robbery in progress but when I alerted the police, they started lecturing me on the authenticity of my tip-off,” said Paul Mwangi, a local businessman.

The embittered residents further blamed surging crime rate on alleged corrupt practices among the area security officers whom they accused of working in cahoots with criminals who have been terrorizing them.

“We have had enough of them. We call upon Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i to intervene and have the officers transferred elsewhere so that our security and that of our businesses can be guaranteed,” said a resident, Patrick Kiema.

KNA by Yobesh Onwong'a