Seven police officers have been killed in a nine-hour siege at Kapenguria Police Station. Those killed include the area Officer Commanding Police Station Vitalis Ochido, according to County Commissioner Vitalis Wanyanga.
He said the suspect, Omar Okwaki Eumod, who was expected to appear in court today after being arrested at Nakwijit, in North Pokot Sub-County, grabbed a gun from the officer on duty, who was opening the cells to take in more suspects, before firing sporadically.
His efforts to escape were, however, thwarted following a quick response from other officers on duty as well as reinforcements from the General Service Unit (GSU) and Administration Police’s Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU). Though an elite unit from the GSU’ Recce Squad was flown to the area from Ruiru, reports indicate gunshots are still being heard as the suspect locked himself in a room where he is feared to have killed other officers.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet confirmed the nature and actual number of casualties is yet to be confirmed. The Recce Unit, which is highly specialised in close combat and hostage rescue operations, was sent to both try and neutralise the man, who is suspected of recruiting youths in the area to al Shabaab, and rescue prisoners. However, latest reports indicate the killings were the work of a disgruntled fellow police officer, who has since been killed by the GSU commandos.
He is also said to have killed one Recce officer. According to media reports, the officer, a recent graduate of Kiganjo Police College, had put in a resignation request, which was rejected by his seniors. He has been under watch for misconduct. He then returned on Wednesday night, grabbed a gun and commenced a killing spree.
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