Cop in murder case probe after fight 'over a woman' in Keiyo

A police sergeant has been arrested following an incident where a civilian sustained a gunshot injury in Elgeyo Marakwet and later died in hospital.

The officer is assisting with investigation into the incident. The 24-year-old was killed following a confrontation whose cause is yet to be established. Investigators suspect they fought over a woman.

The officer is alleged to have shot the victim in the head outside a club in Keiyo South on Thursday night.

Elgeyo Marakwet police commander Kenneth Kimani said trouble started at around 10.30pm when the victim called the sergeant from a club, saying he wanted to have a chat with him outside the club.

According to Kimani, the officer agreed to go out of the club, and while outside, a confrontation ensued.

The police officer, Kimani said, was beaten up by the victim and three other young men during the confrontation.

“The police officer was wrestled to the ground and he pulled out his gun and shot the young man who asked to see him outside the bar,” Kimani said.

He said the victim was shot in the head and was rushed together with the injured to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.

"The victim was admitted to the ICU where he died on Friday morning," the police boss reported.

Investigators probing the incident are seeking to establish the cause of confrontation, whether the officer used excessive force and whether the use of firearm was justifiable.

"We are using several mechanisms in our investigations, and we shall take action if we establish that the officer used unnecessary excessive force," said Kimani.

Keiyo South OCPD Moses Kanyi confirmed that the sergeant is being questioned at Naiberi Police Station in Eldoret.