Legislator cheats death as thugs shoot at his car

By EDWIN CHESEREK

Marakwet West MP Boaz Kaino escaped death by a whisker after thugs shot at his car near Kamotony Forest in his constituency.

The MP’s car was among a convoy of about 10 vehicles that were attacked and from which three people were seriously injured and several others robbed of valuables.

A two man-gang armed with AK47 rifles donning police uniforms and posing as traffic police officers flagged down the vehicles before robbing the passengers on board.

"When we approached the scene, we found several vehicles lined up and we thought they were traffic officers on their routine work," said Mr Kaino.

But when the MP realised the gang were parading the passengers and robbing them at gunpoint, he ordered his driver to speed off as the gang shot at the vehicle twice.

The MP was travelling with his driver only as his bodyguard had taken the day off.

Kaino decried increasing insecurity in the area and called on the Commissioner of Police to deploy more officers to the region.

Marakwet West OCPD Philip Opiyo said police were pursuing the gang that fled through the forest.

Intensify patrols

Mr Opiyo said police would intensify patrols in the forest to get hold of the gang.

He said those attacked included passengers in public service vehicles and people being ferried to a wedding at Kapsowar Town.

Those who were injured were taken to Chebiemit Sub-District Hospital for first aid and later referred to Kapsowar Mission Hospital.

Medics at the hospital said the victims sustained deep head and chest cuts that were inflicted by gun butts and blunt objects, but had been treated and discharged.

Recently, residents protested over rising cases of insecurity in the forest after the suspected gang robbed an MP’s bodyguard of Sh10,000 at the same spot.