Kitui police shot and killed a pastor during a robbery with violence at Kavisuni market in Kisasi district.
The pastor, whose identity was not immediately established at the shooting scene, was allegedly part of a gang that raided Muli Munyoki's wholesale shop last week and robbed him at gunpoint.
In the shocking incident of gospel preachers by day and gangsters by night, the robbers ran two churches in the Matinyani area of Kitui West.
The slain pastor, identified as Ezekiel Muinde Mwangangi, was a preacher at Heaven City Chapel in the Soweto area while also overseeing a new branch in Kauma Market, about five kilometers away.
His accomplice in the evening robbery, a fellow worshipper, escaped with gunshot wounds after the rogue preachers were targeted by police.
The pastor was discovered with a toy pistol, a sharp double-edged dagger, and a fake police radio communication device, while his accomplice, who is on the run, is thought to be armed with a real gun.
According to the shop owner, the robbers approached him shortly after closing, claiming they were investigating a case of stolen goods that they suspected he was selling.
They allegedly robbed the trader of Sh5,000 in cash and forced him to hand over his phone as they searched the shop for valuables and more cash.
During the commotion, police officers from the nearby Kavisuni police station were alerted, and they rushed to the location.
When police arrived at Mr Munyoki's shop, they found the robbers walking out, still holding the trader by his shirt collars.
The officers ordered them to surrender, but instead they brandished guns and attempted to flee on their motorcycle.
Police opened fire, killing the pastor instantly, while his accomplice escaped into the darkness with gun wounds to his left hand.
Unbeknownst to the officers and the crowd gathered at the scene, the robbers, including the one killed by bullets, were preachers from Kitui town and its surroundings.
According to Kitui County Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Eng Samuel Bett, police officers were unaware that the robbers were posing as pastors.
Eng Bett confirmed that detectives have questioned several people, including the owner of the robbers' motorcycle, and that other members of the public have provided valuable information.
When contacted for comment, Kalimani location Chief Cyrus Kitwai Malombe confirmed that Pastor Ezekiel Muinde served on the Soweto church's leadership team.
After receiving the information, Mr Malombe went to the Church and confirmed that the slain robber was their pastor, an active leader in praise and worship sessions who played the piano and taught other worshippers how to play it.