Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has ordered the Star and the Nation Media to provide proof for a story they published claiming that his helicopter was shot at by raiders in Laikipia County.
In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, Boinnet dismissed the reports as false adding that the media houses should also retract the stories.
“At no time did the Inspector General and his entourage encounter any hostility of whatever kind or an attempt to shoot at the Police helicopter as reported by the Star and the Nation media. The writers of the story never found it prudent to verify before sensationally publishing falsehoods.
“We condemn the Star and the Nation media for peddling falsehoods. We demand proof or total retraction,” the IG stated.
According to the previous reports, Boinnet was shot at by ranch invaders as his helicopter took off from Sosian farm, Laikipia County on Sunday morning.
The Nation Media quoted Mr Simon Eturen, Sosian Ranch senior security officer, claiming that Mr Boinnet’s chopper had just taken off when a gang emerged from the bush and shot at it twice.
"The IG had just concluded a meeting with security officers and other security managers from various ranches. When his chopper took off a group of men emerged from the bushes and shot twice in the air.
"However, they couldn’t reach at it because it was far from the ground. The men later disappeared as police officers started taking cover," he said.
The Star further reported that during the said attack, the area county commander's vehicle was ambushed on the boundary between Sosian and Suyian farms, while a commercial vehicle was shot at near Kinamba, on the road between Rumuruti and Maralal.
The media houses had, however, noted that attempts to reach the IG for comment on the incident were futile as calls and messages to him went unanswered.
According to the police, the Inspector General visited several places among them Suiyan ranch in Laikipia County, Rugus in Baringo County and Kerio Valley in Elgeyo Marakwet County to assess the progress of ongoing security operations.
He met with the County and operation commanders and other officers including National Police Reservists involved in restoring peace and order in the respective Counties.
The alleged attacks were linked to suspected Pokot and Samburu herdsmen who have invaded ranches in Laikipia North.
