Aussie killed in Kenya
Teacher shot dead in botched robbery
NICK HANSEN A SCHOOL teacher from country NSW has been shot dead in a botched robbery while walking home in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was assisting the family of Gabrielle Maina, killed and robbed of her purse as she walked home along Miotoni Rd in the suburb of Karen on the city’s western fringe.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Melbourne talkback host Neil Mitchell Ms Maina “appears to have been killed by a fatal gunshot wound during a robbery”.
“We’ve confirmed she is a teacher. It is a tragic event, our prayers and love and condolences go out to her family and loved ones,” Mr Turnbull said.
The attack occurred at 10am Thursday, local time, when riders of a “boda boda” motorcycle tried to take her purse, Fairfax Media reports.
Ms Maina, originally from Armidale according to her social media accounts, was the head teacher of Hillcrest Prepatory School in Nairobi, where she moved to raise her family.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian woman who died in Kenya,” a DFAT spokesperson said.
Finding Ms Maina’s killers will be left in the hands of local authorities with DFAT having no jurisdiction to interfere in local policing matters.
Ms Maina relocated to Kenya in September 2015 so her children could grow up with their extended family.
She taught at public schools across Sydney before migrat- ing, according to a profile on the school’s website.
She taught a number of subjects including English, Italian and drama.
Ms Maina and her husband separated early this year.
Ms Maina had just dropped her two sons, aged 8 and 5, at school and was walking home through the well-to-do suburb of Karen when she was targeted by the armed thieves.