Two police officers attached to Kangema Station in Murang'a County were attacked by an unknown assailant who was disgruntled over a land dispute.
According to a police report obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the suspect walked into the station and reported a matter to Corporal James Gitonga about a land dispute involving his neighbour.
The officer advised the suspect on the next steps to take but moments later, the assailant then brandished a machete and threatened to hack the officer to death by aiming the weapon at the law enforcement officer's direction.
Sensing the danger, the officer protected himself using his left hand. During the fracas, the officer sustained deep cuts on his left hand's middle and ring fingers.
The officer also sustained a deep cut on his right hand. The assailant, upon realizing he had been discovered, fled leading to a chase between himself and officers who had arrived as backup.
According to the police report, Police Constable John Kimathi successfully reached the suspect, resulting in a physical altercation.
Kimathi managed to subdue the assailant but sustained deep cuts on the left hand and right chest.
The officers were rushed to Bliss Hospital in Murang'a for specialised treatment while the 59-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
The incident highlights the extent to which thieves have become daring while committing crimes.
According to the latest data, 97,301 crimes were reported to the police countrywide in the full year ended December 2023, an increase compared to 85,539 reported the previous year.
The data showed a significant increase in property-related crimes, followed by theft, homicide and other offences.
Crimes against persons, which involved assault and creating disturbance, remained the bulk of crimes in the past year.
