Police officer kills bar owner over Sh450 unpaid bill

Police cruiser at a crime scene. [James Omoro, Standard]

Detectives in Baringo are probing an incident where a police officer allegedly killed a bar owner over a Sh450 bill.

Confirming the arrest, Baringo County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa said the officer attached to Bartabwa Police Post is being held at Kabarnet Police Station awaiting arraignment.

According to Ndiwa, the police officer stabbed the bar owner at around 1am on Wednesday after disagreeing over the bill.

“We received information today morning that a man was killed at Kipsereman. The deceased's wife said her husband was killed by the officer after disagreeing over the payment of the bill,” said Ndiwa.

In a message to bar owners and patrons defying government-sanctioned curfew, the commander said police have stepped up enforcement of Covid-19 protocols.

“It is unfortunate that the incident occurred during curfew hours. I’m issuing a warning to any bar owner selling alcohol during curfew hours that they will be arrested and prosecuted,” warned Ndiwa. 

The incident came hours after a police constable who is attached to VIP protection at the Ministry of Interior shot and killed his wife following a domestic altercation ensued.

According to the Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, Hadson Mkondo Wakise turned the gun on himself after killing his wife Pauline Wakasa, a traffic officer attached to Nairobi’s Kilimani Police Station.

“PC Wakise who had been off duty since April 1, reported back to work yesterday but left at 3.00 pm and retired to his residence at GSU camp. It is alleged that he shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself, ending both their lives,” said Mutyambai.

The bodies were found in the couple’s sitting room.

“They started exchanging bitter words and the wife accused him of infidelity. As a result, the said husband went out of the house and shortly returned to the sitting room. Suddenly, he drew out his Jericho pistol and fired several rounds at his wife's chest killing her instantly,” read a police report seen by The Standard.