Cyclists attack police officer in Kisumu

By Rushdie Oudia

KISUMU, KENYA: At least 10 motorcycle operators have been arrested following an attack on a police officer in Kisumu County.

The motorcycle riders had attacked the officer after accusing him of knocking down a school child and later allegedly fleeing from the scene of accident due to a group of rowdy youth.

One of the riders who sought anonymity said the officer hit a Toyota Prado KBR 008C near the Kenol Kobil petrol station along Obote Road.

The motorcycle operators afterwards snatched the officer his car keys to prevent him from fleeing.

“Another police officer who was around the scene retrieved the car keys from bodaboda operators and gave the officer who fled upon getting back his key,” said the operator.

This angered the motorcyclists who pursued the officer up to Kondele. On seeing that he was ambushed, he continued speeding, knocking a child who was returning from school.

He was later pursued and on reaching Oginga Odinga Street next to the Roundabout linking the street to Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, the motorcyclists pounced on him.

The driver drove on the opposite lane along Oginga Odinga Street before the car jammed on hitting the roundabout.

However, Kisumu Central OCPD Musa Kongoli said that after the police Officer hit the Prado, he waited for the normal procedures as the owner of the car looked at the extent of the damage.

Kongoli said the bodaboda riders became rowdy at the scene, forcing the officer to flee.

“The police Land Cruiser plate number GKA 547 E was pursued up to the roundabout and later its screens damaged extensively by the rowdy youth,” he said.

Condemning the attack on a uniformed officer, Kongoli said the policeman sustained serious head injuries following the incident.

The vehicle was later towed to Central Police Station and the officer rushed to the Kisumu District Hospital.