Businessman arrested in gun-drama road rage

By Cyrus Ombati

A businessman was arrested after he dramatically fired six rounds of ammunition in a road rage incident at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Koinange Street, Nairobi.

Mr Elly Owuor, was arrested outside the Serena Hotel where he had escaped to following the 3am incident on Wednesday.

Mr Owuor’s black sleek Mercedes Benz car had been involved in an accident with another salon vehicle when he suddenly came out holding a pistol in his hand.

Police confirmed that he is a licensed gun holder. Owuor was the third licensed gun holder to be arrested in three days in Nairobi in gun drama incidents.

Another motorist had earlier been arrested in Kamukunji area after he had shot at a fellow motorist.

In a similar incident, another licensed gun holder was arrested near the main bus station after he drew out his gun in public. He told police he had seen people who looked like muggers approaching him. The two have since been disarmed and taken to court.

According to the motorist whose car had crashed with that of Mr Owour, he (Owuor) had entered the junction from Koinange Street.

He said he was the first get of his car but was shocked to see Owuor emerge with a gun directed at him. Mr Owuor fired six times to the air and ground but none was injured.

Police who were about 50 meters away near Simmers Restaurant heard the shots and walked to the scene.

One of the officers boarded Mr Owuor’s car and ordered him to drive to Central police station. But instead Owuor raced towards Kilimani with the officer on board asking his colleagues for help.

According to Central OCPD Eric Mugambi, Owuor drove up to Serena Hotel where he stopped at the barrier waiting for the gate to be opened.

The officer on board asked the guards at Serena Hotel not to open the gate and called for reinforcement. The officer disarmed Owuor, arrested him and later drove to the police station with the help of his colleagues.

Police said they would take Mr Owuor to a doctor for tests to establish if he was drunk at the time of the incident before he could appear in court.