Drama as suspect put police post under siege in Northrift

There was  drama in Marakwet East Constituency after a man put a police post under siege for several minutes.

The incident took place Monday afternoon after a suspect who had been arrested over claims of stealing and threatening to commit suicide at Kaben in Kerio ValleyValley.

The 26-year-old man would, after the arrest, allegedly steal two police firearms before taking control of Liter Police Post causing panic, according to the source.

 Marakwet East Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Vincent Kitili said the suspect was taken to the police post at around 12.50pm by National Police Reservists (NPRs), accompanied by his two brothers, over allegations of stealing a steel door at Kaben chief’s office, which is still under construction.

Mr Kitili said the suspect was handcuffed and put in a cell within the police post, awaiting his transfer to Tot Police Station.

He said the suspect managed to sneak out of the cell and stole two fully-loaded guns in one of the officers houses and started shooting aimlessly, forcing police officers to scamper for safety.

“While in the cell, he managed to uncuff himself and moved out of the cell. By this time, no officer was inside the police post building. He took advantage of the officers’ absence and ransacked one of the houses, accessing two G3 rifles with four magazines fully loaded,” Mr Kitili said.

The SCPC said the police post commander, who was a few metres away, became concerned when he heard a commotion in his house.

Kitili reported that a contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) officers from Tot camp were called in but by the time they arrived, the suspect had fled with one G3 police rifle and unknown number of ammunition. 

At around 3pm, Kitili said security team comprising regular police, APs and GSU held a strategy meeting before pursuing the suspect.