Police reservist on the run after killing two people
Western
By
Martin Ndiema
| Jan 09, 2024
The police in Endebess are investigating an incident where a national police reservist went on the rampage, shooting dead two people and injuring another.
The reservist went on a shooting spree, claiming the lives of Joel Kipsang, 33, and Linus Kipsang, 20, on Monday evening.
The suspect, attached to Kaitet Coffee Estate, is currently on the run.
Gruesome incident
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Police reports reveal that the gruesome incident occurred at the John Power area in Chorlim sub-location at around 5pm.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
The victims succumbed to their injuries on arrival at the Endebess Sub-County Hospital.
Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer Francis Kihara said Kipsang suffered a gunshot that exited from the nape, while Linus was shot on the left side of the abdomen with the bullet exiting on the right side of the pelvic.
A third victim, Alfred Khiliano, sustained a wound on the right leg.
Kihara said the incident triggered public outrage, leading to chaotic scenes as irate local residents stoned a police vehicle.
The situation escalated, causing injuries. A grandmother of one of the deceased was hit with a stone.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Endebess Police Station officers in containing the angry crowd.
The bodies were taken to Kitale County Referral Mortuary, awaiting autopsy.
"The rogue NPR officer is at large and we are looking for him to answer charges of misuse of a firearm," said Kihara.
Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (Ipoa), in a press statement, expressed regret over the incident and said it had deployed a rapid investigation team from its Eldoret regional office to probe the killings.
Ipoa Chairperson Anne Makori reassured the public that her office would make relevant recommendations, including prosecution, if criminal culpability is established on the part of the involved police reservist.
Demanding justice
Families of the deceased are now demanding justice for their loved ones, questioning the government's role in protecting citizens.
Residents, led by Evans Naibei, have called for thorough investigations by both Ipoa and DCI to unravel the motive behind the tragic killings.
Naibei highlighted a similar incident in October 2023 when a man was killed by a police reservist at Sabwani Agricultural Development Corporation land.