Gang attacks home of ex-Presidential escort officer in Kitale, sets car ablaze

The attackers were later repulsed by fierce dogs.

KITALE: A gang raided the home of a former Presidential escort security official and set ablaze one car before they were repulsed by fierce dogs on Friday night.

The attackers believed to have numbered seven raided the home of Michael Kimutai at around 11.00 pm at Shimo La Tewa estate and tried to petrol bomb the house.

Two of the suspects had climbed and accessed the compound through a perimeter fence before the dogs confronted them.

They however managed to set ablaze one of the stationary car before retreating after sensing danger from the fierce canines.

According to Kimutai, he had arrived home at 10.00 and retired to bed before he heard the dogs barking before a loud explosive followed.

Kimutai switched off the security lights and moved out of the house where he managed to put off the fire using water.

"When I peeped through the window I saw one of the car burning and as I came out I spotted two men climbing the perimeter fence as my dogs chased them away," said Kimutai.

After putting off the fire, he alerted the police who arrived at the scene immediately.

"I suspect that the gang wanted to set my house ablaze and kill us but I thank God that my dogs thwarted their mission," the former General Service Unit (GSU) officer said.

Kimutai said it could have been a tragedy if the mission of the gang had succeeded because the entire family was in the house.

My two children had arrived home to visit us from Nairobi and it could have been a disaster should they have managed in their mission," he said.

Kimutai who is involved in farming business said he feared for his life and that of his family following the attack.

Kimutai who served during the retired President Daniel Moi resigned and plunged into politics and unsuccessful contested for the Kwanza parliamentary seat.

Several people including Kimutai's lawyer Charles Yano flocked the home and condemned the attack and asked police to intensify security patrols in the area.

A team of detectives led by County crime chief Sammy Mukeku visited the home and commenced investigations.