On Monday morning at around 8:10am, State House, Nairobi, was thrown into an emergency lockdown after a lone attacker armed with a bow and arrow hit and killed a General Service Unit officer manning Gate D of the protected area.
At this time, President William Ruto is said to have been at the premises, forcing his security detail to act fast.
The attack that has caught the nation by surprise is said to have occurred in an area where security details stationed at State House screens cars and people before they are allowed into the inner compound of the premises.
Kenyans.co.ke has learnt that the 56-year-old attacker, whom we will only identify as Kithuka, attempted to gain entry into State House and was promptly dismissed. He is said to have approached the security officers posing as a member of the street families.
Kithuka was carrying a large sack, where he is said to have stuffed the bow and arrows used to assault the officer. According to police, after being chased away, he waited until two other officers were distracted during the clearance of a car at the gate before launching his assault.
Police say he hid behind a car and prepared himself before launching the surprise attack, shooting and injuring Police Constable Ramadhan Mattanka. The officer was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"A 56-year-old man, armed with a bow and arrows, rapidly approached police officers stationed in the area. Despite being challenged to surrender, the suspect advanced on Police Constable Ramadhan Mattanka and shot him in the left ribs with an arrow," a statement from NPS said.
Seconds after the attack, other GSU officers pounced on the suspect before subduing and apprehending him. The NPS also noted in their statement that the suspect wanted to wreak more havoc, were it not for the swift response from other officers.
"The National Police Service condemns this heinous act and commends the officers for their swift response, which prevented further harm. An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the attack," NPS added.
Questions have emerged over the security lapses that led to the attack at one of the most heavily guarded locations in the country. Chief among the issues police must now unravel are: whether this was a lone-wolf attack, what the true motive behind it was, and how a civilian armed with primitive weapons managed to get so close to the heart of the President’s residence.
Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the force has launched investigations into the incident, with the suspect being held at Kimani Police Station.
"The National Police Service condemns this heinous act and commends the officers for their swift response, which prevented further harm. An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the attack," a statement from NPS read.
