The case of a missing police officer who was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 60 rounds of ammunition has sparked a war between his compatriots and Lamu residents.
According to Nation on October 4, 2019, Lamu County security department gave a 12-hour ultimatum for residents to disclose the whereabouts of a police officer who disappeared under controversial circumstances. Police also launched a crackdown into villages in search of their colleague.
It was alleged that on Wednesday, October 2, Police Constable Hesbon Okemwa Anunda, who was attached to Tchundwa Police Post in Lamu East Sub-county, went missing at around 5am.
“We’re informed that he was trekking from Kizingitini Police Station through Mbwajumwali Village to the Tchundwa Police Post where he works. Our colleague was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 60 rounds of ammunition," an anonymous police source informed Nation.
On Friday, October 4, Lamu County Police Commander, Muchanga Kioi, confirmed that he had initiated a massive operation to recover the missing officer and the rifle, alleging that he was abducted.
“It’s true. One of my officers in uniform was headed to Tchundwa Village from Kizingitini for normal duties. We’re surprised that on the way to Tchundwa, our colleague got lost and until now, his whereabouts are unknown.
"We’ve already launched a massive crackdown in the concerned villages until our colleague is found. We’re also appealing to members of the public to cooperate with us by giving information that can aid in getting the officer,” Kioi stated in a press conference on Friday, October 5.
Police working in Lamu East have numerously raised concerns over their safety.
In February 2018, Police Constable Paul Rotich,57, survived serious machete cut wounds after being attacked by convicts.
In October 2017, police officers shot and killed a suspect after he attacked them with a machete while resisting arrest.
Cases of police brutalising residents over missing weapons have been in the spotlight.
In July 2014, police raided Hindi, Lamu to assist in the hunt for gunmen behind a night attack on a Kenya Police Reserve Camp just days after 12 people were killed in a raid in the area.
In November 2016, police officers searching for stolen firearms and ammunition in Mumias were reported to have stormed into houses and beat up residents.
Seven G3 rifles and 180 bullets were stolen when unknown people raided the Booker Police Post in Mumias in wee hours and injured a lone officer using an axe.
