A police inspector attached to Ndori police station met a fatal end during a crackdown on illicit alcohol at Oyude market in Rarieda sub-county on Wednesday evening. Simon Mwangi Kariuki, alongside his colleague Wilfred Maina, embarked on the operation around 7:00 pm, acting on information regarding Caren Okumu, also known as Nyaseme, who was allegedly in possession of illegal alcohol.
Upon their arrival at Oyude market, the officers apprehended Nyaseme, seizing 21 sachets of 100ml each of illicit alcohol and 4 packets of Supermatch cigarettes intended for export. However, the situation quickly escalated when Nyaseme raised an alarm, attracting a group of unruly youths who began pelting the officers with stones and crude weapons.
Tragically, Inspector Kariuki sustained fatal injuries during the confrontation, while his colleague Maina managed to escape with injuries to his right shoulder. Despite Kariuki’s efforts, including firing five shots in the air to deter the attackers, he succumbed to his injuries, and his firearm, along with an unknown number of ammunition, was stolen.
Security personnel, led by Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo, swiftly responded to the scene, conducting an investigation and processing the area before transferring Kariuki’s body to Lwak Mission Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
Amid ongoing investigations, one suspect, Caren Okumu, has been arrested and is cooperating with authorities. However, the search for the stolen firearm continues, and efforts to apprehend additional suspects are underway. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and highlights the importance of ensuring their safety and security during operations.
