afrol News, 15 July - At least 5 people died in a shootout between police and suspected robbers outside a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

Deputy police spokesperson Mr Charles Owino said shootout which happened in a parking area used by Holiday Inn hotel and the Mayfair Casino, claimed lives of three suspected robbers and two casino employees who were caught in crossfire.

Violent crime has long been a problem in Kenya's capital, which residents have nicknamed "Nairobbery", but Kenyan government is still battling to curb high occurrences despites residents call.

"We were very lucky there were not many guests around," said Paul Norman, general manager of Holiday Inn. He said the hotel's security service had immediately put up safety gates to prevent anyone from entering the crime scene.

The hotel and casino are in the residential Parklands area of Nairobi, near two shopping malls and upscale homes, a public place which also hosts their parking lots.

Lydia Ayuma said her husband, Zedekiah Imbote (37), was a security guard at the casino and was killed in the crossfire. "He was not a bully. He was a normal man," she said.

Last week Kenyan finance minister had resigned following the controversial sale the hotel which has split the coalition cabinet into two factions, threatening stability of a unity government which was formed to end weeks of violence following Kenya's presidential election.

Kenya which is still recovering from a political instability following the disputed December presidential elections, like the rest of the continent is has been frustrated by poverty and corruption including the soaring robberies incidences.

More than 1 300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced during weeks of bloodshed.

Kenya lost up to $1-billion this year because of the turmoil, which damaged the country's vital tourism industry.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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