Unknown assailants shot dead two Kenyan police officers during an ambush in Nairobi early Saturday.

Area police chief Joseph Gichangi said the bodies of the two security officers were found in Kayole residential estate after a tip off by a member of the public who reported hearing gun shots in the area at around 4:00 a.m. Saturday.

The two police officers were also robbed off their two firearms by the attackers who managed to escape after the incident.

“The two police officers were shot from behind as they patrolled the area and robbed of their pistols. The attackers escaped on a motorcycle,” said Gichangi.

The attackers were riding on a motorcycle and ambushed the constables of police who were patrolling on foot. It is not clear why the officers decided to patrol on foot at 4 a.m.

Gichangi said the attackers were armed with an AK 47 rifle, adding that investigations have been launched to establish the motive behind the death and why the deceased were on foot.

“The killing weapon is not common among many thugs and it raises many questions,” said an officer.

The incident comes at a time when there is high tension in the Kenyan capital over politics as the nation is still awaiting the tallying process following the conclusion of repeat presidential elections.

At least three people have been killed since Wednesday in political violence in Nairobi between anti-poll protesters and the police over the disputed presidential elections.

There have been clashes in major informal settlements in the city with heavy police deployments after angry protesters destroyed and looted property in Kawangware, Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Kahawa West and other places in the city in pre and post presidential polls violence.