Detectives in Kitengela have launched a manhunt for a trigger-happy reveller who shot and critically wounded two men following a heated altercation at a popular nightclub, shattering the weekend peace in the bustling Kajiado town.

The incident, which occurred in the wee hours of Sunday morning, has sent shockwaves through Kitengela’s vibrant nightlife scene. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene where a dispute over a bill—or perhaps a woman, accounts vary—escalated from shouting to shoving, before the suspect drew a concealed firearm and opened fire indiscriminately.

"Everyone Was Running"

"It sounded like firecrackers at first," said Mary Wanjiku, a waitress at the establishment. "Then I saw blood. People were screaming, diving under tables, trampling each other to get to the exit. The shooter just walked out like nothing happened."

The two victims, young men aged 26 and 30, were rushed to a nearby private hospital with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and thigh. Doctors report they are in stable but critical condition.

• Licensed Firearm Misuse: Preliminary investigations suggest the shooter is a licensed firearm holder, possibly a businessman or a rogue VIP protection officer. The abuse of firearms by civilian holders in social settings has become a disturbing trend in Nairobi’s satellite towns.
• CCTV Evidence: Police have retrieved CCTV footage from the club which reportedly captures the suspect’s face clearly. "We know who he is. We are urging him to surrender before we smoke him out," said Kitengela OCPD.
• Club Security Lapses: The incident raises serious questions about security protocols. How did an armed patron bypass the bouncers and metal detectors? The club’s management faces potential license revocation for negligence.

The Wild West?

Kitengela residents have long complained about the creeping lawlessness in the town, which is often jokingly referred to as the "Wild West" due to its rapid, unplanned growth and influx of transient populations. This shooting is a grim escalation.

As the families of the victims pray for their recovery, the spotlight turns to the Firearm Licensing Board. Will this be another case that fades away, or will there be a crackdown on the "cowboys" who treat lethal weapons as fashion accessories in bars?