Second officer killed in Pangani blast laid to rest

Pallbearers carry casket of Corporal Samwel Chebutuk killed during a blast in Pangani, Nairobi, two weeks ago. [Photo: Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

By Robert Kiplagat

Baringo, Kenya: The second of the two police officers who died in the Pangani bomb explosion two weeks ago was laid to rest in an emotional ceremony at his home in Kabimoi village, Baringo County.

During the send-off of Corporal Samwel Chebutuk attended by Nairobi County Police Commandant Benson Kibue and Assistant Commissioner of Police Job Boronjo, police vowed to sustain the fight against terror attacks in the country.

Local leaders and the National Police Service described Corporal Chebutuk as a hero who lost his life defending his country.

The 50-year-old police officer had been in the police service for 30 years before he met his untimely death on April 23.

Terror suspects

Chubutuk and his colleague had intercepted a car suspected to belong to terrorists and boarded it before one of the suspects blew himself off, killing all occupants.

The officer is survived by two widows Genetrix Naliaka and Rebecca Kibwalei, 10 children and one granddaughter.

Family members asked the Police Service to speed up processing of his benefits to allow his children continue with their education.

Kibue said the Police Service will give Chebatuk’s family Sh1 million to cater for his children’s education.

“We are not going to be cowed by the cowardly terrorists. The killing of the two officers has motivated us even more as we seek to weed out all terrorists,” said Kibue.

He described Chebutuk as honest, intelligent and hardworking officer who put his life on the line severally for the security of Kenyans.

Security threat

Kibue called on Kenyans to support the Nyumba Kumi initiative and other security operations aimed at flushing out those posing a security threat to the nation.

Eldama Ravine MP Mosses Lessonet, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, said they will approve more funds for purchase of police equipment.

“We as legislators totally support the work of the police in securing Kenyans and we urge them never to give up. We will ensure that the Bill seeking for more funds to buy equipment is approved,” said Lessonet.

Lessonet also delivered a message of condolence from Deputy President William Ruto to the family.

In his message, the DP promised to assist the first-born in the family, who graduated recently, get a job.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, who also attended the burial, blamed the rising insecurity in the region on shortage of security personnel.

“Some areas in Baringo such as East Pokot, which has over 4,000 square kilometres, has about 22 officers, while Baringo North has less than 30. We need more police officers,” he said.

Cheboi called for mapping out of rustling hotspots within the county for effective response during raids.

He added: “It is not right for us to lose people including officers to criminals yet the national government has the capacity to deploy more officers.”