Officer who killed 7 people at Kapenguria Police Station had Sh3m in bank

The police constable who killed seven officers at Kapenguria Police Station had over Sh3 million in his bank account.

Sources told The Standard that while searching Abdi Maslah’s house, detectives found a bank slip showing he had the millions in his account.

Investigators are pursuing the theory that he had unsuccessfully tried to use the cash to buy the freedom of terror suspect, Omar Okwaki, who was detained at the station at the time of the attack.

Also recovered from the rogue officer’s house were pictures of a security installation in West Pokot County.

Police are also investigating claims that Mr Okwaki was spying on a security installation in Kacheliba, which was the target of a terror attack before he was arrested.

“We want to establish who is responsible for the pictures of the security installation and if Okwaki and Maslah were spying for attack,” the source said.

The officer responsible for the armoury is also being investigated over the circumstances under which Maslah was armed with a State-owned gun while off duty.

Though reports at the station had indicated that Maslah had grabbed a gun from one of the officers on duty, it has emerged that he was armed when he stormed the station on Thursday last week.

At the same time, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said they were investigating the matter to establish the killer’s motive.

Mr Boinnet said they were not aware of any officer linked to terrorism, but warned of dire consequences should any officer be found to have links with terror cells.

“We will not hesitate to act should we find terrorist sympathisers in the service,” he said.

 AVERT ATTACKS

Speaking at the GSU Training School in Embakasi, Nairobi, during an inter-police agency First Aid Competition, the IG said the police have heightened vigilance to avert terror attacks.

He also asked the public to collaborate with security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered an investigation into the attack.

“We do not know what led the killer to his foul and evil deeds but Kenyans can be certain that my Government’s security and investigative agencies will do all within their power to discover what motivated this attack,” the President said.

Uhuru said he celebrated the lives of the young patriots who died defending law and order.

“In days to come, my Government will give their families every support as they come to terms with these tragic events,” he said.

Maslah joined the service in 2013. He had offered to resign but his bosses refused. Maslah killed seven police officers after a 10-hour standoff. Those killed were OCS Vitalis Ochido, GSU Recce squad officer Dennis Momanyi and five other police officers.