Nairobi — Two gangsters were shot dead for stealing from bar patrons in Murang'a South District.

They were armed with a home-made pistol, a panga and a sword when they attacked revellers at Kennol shopping centre yesterday.

Murang'a South DC, Mr Maalim Mohammed, said officers at Nguthuru AP camp responded to an alert that the thugs were harassing people in a nightclub.

When the gangsters were ordered to surrender, they confronted the officers and police opened fire.

The DC, who chairs the District Security Committee, said one gangster was from Nguthuru village and residents had identified him as a notorious robber.

"The public did a commendable job of alerting the police about the presence of armed people in their midst," the DC said.

Police described the gangsters as "most notorious" highway robbers who were being sought in connection with several violent robberies and carjacking on the Nairobi-Nyeri highway.