West Pokot Residents’ fury as officer crashes into two women

Chaos erupted after a policeman driving a lorry allegedly rammed into two women killing them instantly in Makutano town, West Pokot County.

Witnesses claimed the officer ordered the lorry's driver out, and started driving it towards Makutano Police Post when the accident happened. "He tried to negotiate a sharp corner but lost control of the lorry, landed on the side of the road killing the two pedestrians on the spot while others were seriously injured," claimed lorry driver Vincent Masai.

Immediately after the accident, residents attacked the officers manning a roadblock along the Lodwar- Kitale highway forcing them to shoot in the air. Traders were forced to hurriedly close their businesses as the situation got out of hand. West Pokot County Commander Mathews Kuto said they are investigating the matter. The leaders who had gone to calm the residents following violent confrontation with police were forced to escape from the scene after the protestors turned wild.

Kuto, County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga, Deputy Governor Titus Lotee and Administration Police Commandant Kimue Kingaa were caught up in the melee as the protestors pelted their leaders with stones.

Wanyanga and Kuto had tried to calm the rowdy crowd but they continued in their protests. At some point, police were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the agitated crowd.

Wanyanga described the accident as unfortunate.

"We are investigating the issue raised by the residents about the police officers but it is unfortunate that they did not allow us to address them to get to the root of the matter," said Wanyanga.