Australian teacher Gabrielle Maina shot dead in Kenya

An Australian woman, working as a teacher, has been shot dead during a robbery in Kenya's capital.

Imeripotiwa Gabrielle Maina aliuawa mjini Nairobi kwa risasi Source: Facebook: Gabrielle Maina

Gabrielle Maina was shot at 10am on Thursday when she was walking in the suburb of Karen in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, according to The Age, during a botched robbery reportedly involving assailants on motorbikes.

At this stage the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Ms Maina has two sons and has been living in Kenya since September 2015, with her Facebook page saying she is from Armidale, NSW.

Kenya's High Commissioner to Australia H.E Isaiya Kabiira has issued a statement on this incident:

Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Gabrielle Maina, an Australian National and Head Teacher at Nairobi’s Hillcrest School. The Government of Kenya will extend all support needed during this difficult time. Investigations are on to ensure that the culprits of the killing that happened in Karen are brought to book. We salute Ms Gabrielle Maina for her sterling role in molding the lives of many Kenyan youth who went through her very capable hands since she joined Hillcrest School in 2015. May her soul rest in eternal peace and our prayers and thoughts are with the family. Isaiya Kabira High Commissioner of Kenya

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his prayers go out to family and friends.