The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has provided fresh details concerning a police officer who was attacked by a mob.
DCI in a statement on Wednesday July 3, said that a manhunt for the men identified as goons who attacked the officer after invading a Police Station on Tuesday armed with crude weapons is underway.
The statement came following the surfacing of a video of the police officer being roughed up by a group of men which sparked widespread uproar from a section of Kenyans.
DCI has since revealed that the incident took place after the men invaded Bondo Police Station in Siaya County armed with crude weapons.
“Manhunt is underway for goons who yesterday invaded Bondo Police Station while armed with crude weapons including stones and catapults, slings, petrol bombs and other concealed weapons, seriously injuring several police officers and maliciously destroying property,” read part of the statement.
In the video which surfaced online on Wednesday, a group of rowdy men are seen outnumbering the police officer who is armed with a teargas grenade gun and in the anti-riot police amour.
The seemingly irate men proceed to attack the officer who upon being overwhelmed, stumbles and lays helplessly on the tarmac.
Police officer attacked by mob
Subsequently, the group of men armed with crude weapons including rungus and clubs are captured assaulting the officer who is lying down pleading for his life.
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The men suddenly manage to get the head shield off from the officer’s head further inflicting injuries on his end.
After a brief moment, the officer who is visibly overwhelmed by the mob then manages to wake up and start running again before he stumbles and falls again.
“Mwache mwache mwache” a man can be heard saying. This loosely translates to “Leave him alone, leave him alone”
The Kenya Times had earlier conducted a reverse search which confirmed that the incident took place in Bondo, Siaya County.
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The Directorate added that the following the attack, the goons robbed the officer of his anti-riot gun (launcher) which has since been recovered.
According to DCI, one of the suspects who was captured in the video attacking the officer and leaving him sprawled on the tarmac has been arrested as pursuit for his accomplices who have since been identified continues.
Meanwhile, DCI has revealed that the officer whose life was saved by good Samaritans was admitted to a hospital in Bondo hospital.
“Most of the other officers and members of the public who were also injured in the attack have been discharged,” added DCI.
Uproar
The video which has since gone viral had sparked widespread criticism from a section of Kenyans, with a majority raising concerns over the effects of the countrywide protests.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai was among Kenyans who reacted to the video, highly criticizing the actions by the protesters.
“We must soul search and decide whether we want to live within the law or in anarchy. How do we even continue and support a leaderless movement when such are prone to happen where there is no proper structure or leadership to engage? Let’s be careful,” said Alai.
Enock Odhiambo, on his part, reacted noting that law enforcers are also humans and don’t deserve to be humiliated by being attacked.
“This is not proper for real, please let us remember policemen are also our brothers, sisters and fathers. They don’t deserve to be treated this way because they act on orders,” said Odhiambo.
Musa Abuti also reacted noting that as much as he supports anti-government protests, he did not support such actions of officers being attacked.
He called on for those perpetuating such acts to be brought to books and face the law.
Another user Thomas Odol echoed his words saying that the men captured attacking the officer should face the law.
“This situation is completely unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable. If possible, they should face severe consequences for their actions,” he said.
Goons infiltrate Protests
Chaos and lawlessness prevailed in most parts of the country on Tuesday, July 2 as gangs that infiltrated anti-government protests attacked and robbed people in the presence of police officers.
In Mombasa and other parts of the country, locals were attacked by criminals who wreaked havoc for the better part of the day.
On Monday the Kenya National Human Rights Commission said that at least 39 people had been killed at the protests, which began on June 18.
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