Kakamega streets were thrown into disarray after a routine tuk-tuk ride turned into a harrowing ordeal, leaving one civilian nursing gunshot wounds and a police officer facing severe criminal charges. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, August 28, has reignited the contentious debate over police use of firearms and the limits of their authority.
On that fateful day, a tuk-tuk was heading towards Khayega when an unidentified man, later revealed to be a police officer in plainclothes, stopped the vehicle and boarded.
The passengers, unaware of what was about to unfold, soon found themselves in the middle of a terrifying confrontation. As the tuk-tuk approached the Shirere area, the officer abruptly declared that the driver was under arrest, demanding to be taken to the police station.
However, the officer’s failure to identify himself or explain his actions led to a heated altercation. The situation escalated rapidly as the officer struggled with the driver for control of the vehicle, causing the tuk-tuk to veer off the road and crash into a ditch. Amid the chaos, the officer drew his service weapon and fired two shots, one of which struck a 28-year-old passenger.
Recounting the traumatic experience, the injured civilian described how the first gunshot rang out, followed by a second, before he realised he had been hit. "Blood was gushing out like water," he recalled, painting a vivid picture of the immediate aftermath.
The officer involved had been assigned to maintain order at the Kakamega law courts. Now, he finds himself on the other side of the law, facing charges of attempted murder.
The officer claims he acted in self-defence, asserting that the tuk-tuk crew posed a threat to his life and intended to kidnap him. This claim, however, has been met with scepticism, particularly in light of the growing scrutiny of police conduct across Kenya.
Initial police reports indicated that the officer returned to the station with his service pistol, a Ceska, which was still loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. However, subsequent investigations confirmed that he had discharged two rounds during the confrontation, raising questions about his judgement and the necessity of using lethal force in that situation.
The injured civilian, who sustained gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and right collarbone, was initially treated at Mukumu Dispensary before being transferred to Oasis Multispecialty Hospital.
His condition is currently stable, though the physical and psychological scars of the incident will likely linger.
As investigations continue, the officer remains in police custody, with the possibility of further disciplinary action looming over those responsible for issuing him the firearm.
This incident is yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of police violence in Kenya. The public outcry following the Kakamega shooting is reminiscent of the anger that swept through the nation during the anti-government protests earlier this year. During those protests, the excessive use of force by law enforcement led to numerous deaths and injuries, fuelling widespread discontent and demands for accountability.
The narrative of an attempted kidnapping, as presented by the officer, is now under intense scrutiny. Investigators are working to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the shooting, with many questioning the officer’s version of events.
