Kakamega, Kenya – One police officer was killed, two others injured and two rifles stolen after armed attackers raided Musanda Police Station in Mumias West, Kakamega County, on Friday night.
Police said the attackers, who were riding on two motorcycles, struck the station under the pretext of reporting a stolen motorcycle at Sigomere before launching the violent assault.
According to a report recorded at around 9pm by Brian Kipngetich, he was inside his house within the patrol base when six men arrived at the station claiming their motorcycle had been stolen.
Moments after the report was made, a commotion erupted at the station, followed by a gunshot.
Kipngetich told investigators that one of the attackers was heard saying “there is another one” before he was shot on the left side of the head. He managed to retreat back into his house after sustaining the injury.
Police said the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), together with other officers, immediately responded to the scene in Mukhuwa location, where they found Richard Utolo lying unconscious in a pool of blood with a visible gunshot wound on the chin.
Utolo was rushed to hospital and was reported to be in a serious condition.
Another officer, Finace Abura, sustained a gunshot injury to his left ear during the attack. His wife, Mary Omondi, was also injured, suffering wounds to the head and right hand.
Kipngetich sustained a minor head injury.
Police confirmed that during the raid, the assailants made away with two G3 rifles, each loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition.
All the injured officers were taken to Bungoma West Hospital, where they were admitted and are currently receiving treatment.
The crime scene was later visited by the Sub-County Police Commander and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) for Mumias West.
During a search of the officers’ houses within the patrol base, investigators observed blood stains at the scene and recovered two crowbars believed to have been used to break into a steel box where police equipment was kept.
Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the attackers and recover the stolen rifles, as well as any spent cartridges linked to the incident.
A multi-agency operation has been launched in the area, with security officers intensifying patrols and intelligence-led searches in Mumias West and neighbouring areas as investigations continue into the brazen attack on the police station.
