12 youths are currently in police custody after being arrested for attempting to attack Bondo Police Station during anti-government protests on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
According to Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo, the youths began gathering in Bondo town around noon and attempted to barricade the roads.
Commander Kimaiyo noted that by 2 pm, a small group of protesters started pelting Bondo police station with stones, prompting an immediate response from an enhanced anti-riot team led by himself.
The team successfully drove the violent protesters out of the town.
“In the event, we managed to arrest the 12 suspects who were attacking the station with stones and other projectiles,” Kimaiyo stated.
The county police boss also mentioned that the anti-riot team remained vigilant and continued to pacify the town, clearing it of small pockets of violent protesters until 9:30 pm when they called off the operation.
He confirmed that no injuries were reported from either side and that the youths would be arraigned in court on Friday.
Suspect arrested
This incident follows closely on the heels of another incident where police in Bondo arrested a suspect believed to be involved in the attack on an officer during anti-government protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced that they were pursuing more suspects linked to the attack on the policeman.
“Manhunt is underway for goons who yesterday invaded Bondo Police Station while armed with crude weapons, including stones, catapults, slings, petrol bombs, and other concealed weapons, seriously injuring several police officers and maliciously destroying property,” the DCI statement read.
The statement further revealed that one suspect, Sostine Otieno, who was caught on camera attacking a police officer and stealing his anti-riot gun (launcher), had been arrested, and the gun recovered.
Police added that the pursuit of his accomplices, who have been identified, is ongoing.
The officer who was captured on camera being attacked is currently admitted to a Bondo hospital in critical condition.
“Meanwhile, the officer whose life was saved by good Samaritans is admitted in critical condition at a Bondo hospital. Most of the other officers and members of the public who were also injured in the attack have been discharged,” DCI added.