Police in Bondo, Siaya have arrested a suspect believed to be among the goons who attacked a police officer during anti-government protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
The suspect, Sostine Otieno, is among the people captured in a viral clip showing civilians attacking the police officer, who is now admitted in hospital.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said it was pursuing more suspects believed to have attacked the policeman.
“Manhunt is underway for goons who yesterday invaded Bondo Police Station while armed with crude weapons including stones and catapults, slings, petrol bombs and other concealed weapons, seriously injuring several police officers and maliciously destroying property,” the statement read in part.
“Already, one of the suspects (Sostine Otieno) captured in a phone recording attacking a police officer and leaving him sprawled on the tarmac before robbing him of his anti-riot gun (launcher) has been arrested and the gun recovered, as pursuit for his accomplices who have since been identified heightens.”
Police officer admitted
Police say the officer who was captured on camera being attacked is admitted at a Bondo hospital in a 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.
This comes hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki claimed that anti-government protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, were marred with planned chaos.
“The organisers of today’s orgy of violence in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa and several other parts of the Country are reportedly planning to repeat their anarchic chaos and cruel plunder again on Thursday and Sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki said the government is determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorize the public and harm Kenya as they try to politicize crime.
“This reign of terror against the people of Kenya and the impunity of dangerous criminal gangs must end at whatever cost. The Government is determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorise the public and harm Kenya, notwithstanding attempts to politicise crime,” he said.
Kindiki assured the public that the planners, executors and financiers of large-scale arson, violent robberies and other felonious crimes will be brought to justice.