Police hunt for men who stormed hospital, took patient in Elgeyo Marakwet

Iten County Referral Hospital in Elgeyo Marakwet County. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]

Police officers in Elgeyo Marakwet County are looking for six men who stormed Iten County Referral Hospital armed with AK47 rifles and took a patient who was being treated for a gunshot wound.

Speaking to the Standard, Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Francis Nguli said that the patient had been rushed to the hospital after being shot by bandits.

The patient had been treated and was ready for discharge when police officers got word there was a plan to rescue him by his accomplices.

A team of officers from the Kenya Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) were mobilised and sent to man the hospital.

"Four police officers went to the ward to help secure his discharge while the other six officers were manning the main hospital gate," read the police statement with the OB No. 02 of 10/04/2023.

"At about 0210 hours, the patient was discharged and immediately, at the entrance of the ward, a group of ten young men smashed windows and managed to rescue the patient from police officers."

Nguli says the officers did not want to cause a scene at the hospital. Hence, did not retaliate.

"We didn't want to cause a lot of commotions because we were in a hospital. There were so many patients there, we had to have some diplomacy because the issue of shooting could have worsened the health of patients," said Nguli.

Police have since launched investigations into the matter.