Police officer enforcing curfew beheaded in Kilifi

A police officer was killed in Rabai, Kilifi County by an unknown assailants and his firearm stolen while enforcing the dusk to dawn curfew.

His colleague escaped unhurt in the Sunday 7:30 pm incident.

Police Constable Kelvin Kiragu was found decapitated along the Bondora-Mwakirunge Road.

According to police, Kiragu and his colleague Brian Mwadime were enforcing the dusk to dawn curfew.

Mwadime was unhurt and he is helping police with investigations.

Second attack

The fleeing assailants also attacked a bodaboda rider in the same area. He is recuperating at a local medical centre.

Police say the 29-year-old rider is in stable condition.

Kilifi County police commander James Mugera said a major hunt for the assailants has been launched.

"It is true we have lost one of our officers. He was attacked by unknown assailants whom we are hunting now. A major operation has been launched," said the county commander, who promised to issue a statement later.

The attackers made away with the officer's loaded G3 rifle Serial Number J42057. It had 20 rounds of ammunition of 7.3mm calibre.

Officers who visited the scene told Standard Digital the officer had deep cuts on the head and body inflicted with sharp objects.

Last month, rowdy bodaboda riders attacked two police officers in Malindi.

The scuffle started when a traffic police officer arrested the riders for not complying with social distancing orders.

The incident attracted the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai who flew to the coastal region and issued a stern warning against attacking the police, saying such incidences will not be tolerated.