Fresh details have emerged on the police officer who was arrested for lobbing a teargas canister during Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua's rally in Kisii on June 30.
According to the Kisii Central Police boss, Peter Kimani, the cop in question, was off duty and was not expected to be at the rally in an official capacity.
The police boss noted that the officer did not attend the parade usually held at the station in the morning hours before deployments are done.
Police stated that they will continue with investigations to unravel the motive of the officer who is accused of disrupting Karua's rally that left several people injured.
The revelations on the officer being off duty were made hours after he was arraigned before Kisumu Chief Magistrate, Teresa Odera, who granted the anti-terror police ten more days to hold him.
The Magistrate stated that her orders followed the request by the police who stated that the officer's life was in danger, citing how members of the public attacked him after the incident.
“At this stage, the prosecution has also proved beyond doubt that the safety of the accused is not guaranteed. We want to ensure he will still be alive when he comes back here,” the Magistrate ruled.
However, she directed that the officer be taken to hospital for medication since he also sustained some wounds during the skirmishes.
“The accused also confirmed this saying he is not feeling well and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kisumu with supporting medical reports,” added Justice Odera.
During the Wednesday rally, Karua was whisked away by police after the officer lobbed a tear gas canister at the crowd.
Preliminary reports indicate that there was tension between the supporters of outgoing governor, James Ongwae, and the ODM gubernatorial candidate, Simba Arati, who have traded blame over the incident.
"Ongwae has on several occasions told me that I will not be the next Kisii governor. I am asking him why he is so focused on me yet he is not on the ballot? What angers him so much whenever he sees me, leave alone my name being mentioned? What does he want with me," Arati stated.
Speaking a day after the fracas, Karua stated that she will not be intimidated by people who want to cause violence and disturb peace in the country.
