An Australian mother teaching in Kenya has been shot dead by violent thugs during a brazen daylight robbery.
Gabrielle Maina was walking home along Miotoni Road in the affluent suburb of Karen, in Nairobi, at about 10am on Thursday when she was gunned down.
Local reports claim she was attacked by ‘thugs riding boda bodas (taxi motorcycle)’ who fled the scene with her purse and left her bleeding out on the road.
A powerful 9mm gun cartridge was recovered at the scene and local police were reportedly called to the road to investigate on Thursday.
Australian teacher Gabrielle Maina (pictured) has been shot dead by violent thugs during a brazen daylight robbery in Kenya
Local reports claim she was attacked by ‘thugs riding boda bodas (taxi motorcycles)’. The armed men fled the scene with her purse (stock image of Nairobi pictured above)
Ms Maina was working as a head teacher at a local boarding school, according to Fairfax Media.
‘It is with great sadness and shock that we are writing to let you know that Gabrielle Maina, Head Teacher of Hillcrest Prep has been tragically killed whilst out walking this morning,’ a statement from the school read.
‘She was returning home after dropping her son at a friend’s house. Condolences to Gabrielle’s family.’
Ms Maina moved to Kenya late in 2015 so that her children could grow up with their extended family, the school’s website claims.
‘After completing her postgraduate degree in Education, (Ms Maina) was engaged by the New South Wales Department of Education, where she taught at a number of schools in the Sydney metropolitan area.’
Ms Maina had dropped her son off at a friend’s house and was walking home when she was killed
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they were ‘providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian woman who died in Kenya.’
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we will not release further details,’ the department added.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kenya’s National Police for comment.
Ms Maina moved to Kenya (pictured) late in 2015 so that her children could grow up with their extended family