Two separate incidents involving members of the Kenyan security forces have raised concerns about their safety and the potential for firearms to fall into the hands of criminals. On November 1, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer was shot and killed by police in Ruiru, Kiambu County, after an exchange of fire. According to police reports, officers from Kahawa Sukari Police Station were on patrol at around 7 pm when they received information about two men armed and threatening residents of Covo, near Magunas.
The police pursued the suspects and ordered them to stop, but one of them allegedly produced a pistol and fired at the officers, who returned fire. The suspect who fired the gun was shot in the chest and right hand and was rushed to Ruiru Level 4 Hospital in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The police recovered a Jericho pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition and two spent cartridges, as well as the KDF identification card of the deceased, Munene Antony, 33.
The surviving suspect reportedly told investigators that the pistol belonged to his brother, who is a police officer, and further investigation is ongoing to determine the ownership of the firearm. Meanwhile, on the night of November 2, two police officers from Ruai Police Station were severely injured after being attacked by a group of men on motorcycles. The attackers stole two AK-47 rifles, each with 30 rounds of ammunition.
The officers, Corporal John Maritim and Corporal Felistus Tuitoek, sustained head and hand injuries after being attacked with a blunt object and received treatment at Reale Hospital in Utawala. The police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen firearms. This incident has raised concerns about the potential for the firearms to be used in other crimes or attacks against civilians and security personnel.
These incidents come on the heels of a similar attack on October 26, in which a group of armed men attacked officials guarding a revenue collection centre in Likoni, Mombasa County, killing one county official and injuring three others. The attackers made off with an AK-47 rifle from a government official, which was later used to shoot and kill the county official.
In March, a group of armed men attacked a police officer guarding the Bonje, Jomvu industrial area and stole an AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone. These incidents have raised questions about the collaboration between security agencies, discipline within the agencies, and the potential for government firearms to fall into the hands of criminals.
The recent incidents also highlight reported tensions between police and military personnel. In September, security personnel clashed at a roadblock near Turkana University, Lodwar, and later at Lodwar Police Station. Another incident of clashes between police and military personnel was reported at the Likoni ferry crossing in Mombasa in the same month.
Key points
- The two separate incidents of violence against Kenyan security forces have raised concerns about their safety and the potential for firearms to fall into the hands of criminals.
- The incidents have also highlighted reported tensions between police and military personnel.
- The police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen firearms.
