Fugitive police officer dies in motorbike crash

A police officer wanted for questioning over alleged involvement in violent robberies in Murang’a and Kiambu counties was killed in an accident on the Kangundo-Kakuyuni road in Machakos. 

Wilson Ndunda Kiilu, 23, and a constable, died on Saturday when a motorcycle ferrying him collided head-on with a lorry. 

Police said the bike’s rider was also killed. The bodies were taken to a local mortuary. 

Kiilu has been missing from his place of work in Murang’a South since December 12, last year, after a report of robbery with violence implicated him.

In the incident, a man was robbed of cash and valuables. The car that the attackers were using was later recovered and one suspect arrested.

During interrogation, the suspect incriminated the officer.

Police bosses then circulated information saying they were looking for Kiilu for questioning.

The officer was also linked to other robberies that were reported in Thika. 

It was not until Saturday that it was established he was in Kangundo after identification documents were recovered from the accident scene.

Authorities handling the matter said they were investigating to establish whether Kiilu was involved in other robbery incidents locally.

Making efforts

Cases of police officers turning rogue and targeting civilians are on the rise, with authorities making efforts to curtail the menace. On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered that officers involved in crime should not be transferred but instead sacked.

In October last year, a directive was issued from police headquarters for all off-duty officers to surrender their weapons at the armoury in their respective stations before clocking out.

An order was also given to only issue firearms depending on the nature of the duty assigned to officers, who will have to be briefed and debriefed after every assignment.