The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has sounded a warning after a group of protesters raided Bondo Police Station in Siaya County and attacked an officer.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, IPOA chairperson Anne Makori disclosed that an officer attached to Sigomere Police Station was seriously injured during the raid.
The officer was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
“Even as the Authority continues to investigate cases of police excesses during the protests, it has noted with concern, cases of the public attacking police officers.
“In particular, our attention has been drawn to the raid on Bondo Police Station in Siaya County, and the assault of a police officer attached to Sigomere Police Station inflicting serious injuries on him,” part of the IPOA statement read.
“Today, an IPOA team visited the officer at Maxcure Hospital in Kisumu, where he is admitted undergoing treatment,” it added.
Following the incident, IPOA has cautioned members of the public against attacking police officers. Anne Makori pointed out that the attacks prevent law enforcement officers from executing their policing services as expected.
IPOA thus called for restraint and respect for security officers during protests.
“IPOA wishes to caution members of the public against attacks on police officers on duty as this impedes the provision of security services, strips the public of policing services and amounts to the disregard to the rule of law in Kenya.
“In order to promote police accountability, IPOA calls on the public to abide by the rule of law and maintain peace during protests. IPOA remains committed to being independent, impartial and fair,” the statement added.
One suspect arrested
On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) named one suspect identified as Sostine Otieno as part of goons who invaded Bondo Police Station armed with crude weapons including stones and catapults, slings, petrol bombs and other concealed weapons.
During the attack, the DCI says, the suspects seriously injured several police officers, maliciously destroyed property and robbed an anti-riot gun from a police officer.
“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,” DCI stated.
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.
Already, one… pic.twitter.com/GeomAnQyKO
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 3, 2024