Police in Kenya on Wednesday shot and killed four suspected gangsters who opened fire at police as they were in their vehicle.

Police Commander Johnstone Ipara said: ”At around 8am, officers on patrol stopped the vehicle, which was being driven dangerously, but the suspects refused to stop, hence the shooting.”

It is reported the incident occurred in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

Ipara said all the suspects died at the scene and that police found a pistol made in Brazil, 11 bullets, two magazines and a mobile phone.

The bodies were taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

The suspects had been on the police radar on suspicion of engaging in crimes in major towns including Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret.

Mr Ipara said they had been planning to commit a crime in Eldoret. It is believed that the four were among criminals who attacked four Administration Police officers some time in 2019.

“The criminals escaped with the officers’ firearms,” said Mr Ipara.