A civilian was on Thursday, October 7, shot dead by police officer during a raid that was conducted at a chang’aa den in Namarambi, Bungoma County.
In a police report seen by K24 Digital, two police officers and three assistant chiefs were raiding the home of Benard Namisi Masinde who was found in possession of 210 litres of chang’aa when armed members of the public started beating them up.
In the confrontation, one of the officers identified as Simon Said who was armed with a firearm was attacked by a civilian identified as Simiyu Soita who cut him on the forehead.
“The officer was attacked by a member of the public who was armed with an axe and cut him on the forehead where he sustained a wound,” the report read in part.
On seeing his colleague being attacked, Said reached for his firearm and shot Soita on the left side of his head.
The deceased was rushed to Lugulu Mission Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment and his body was taken to the facility’s morgue awaiting postmorterm.
Police said that Masinde had resisted arrest and he is the one who called for members of the public to beat up the officers after he was handcuffed.
Masinde managed to flee from the scene but was later nabbed by police officers when he was seeking treatment at Bhakhita Hospital which is located within Misikhu market in Bungoma county.
“The suspect raised an alarm and members of the public responded while armed with pangas in order to rescue the suspect,” the report further read.
The three chiefs identified as John Musamali (Namarambi Sub-location), Elizabeth Situma (Marinda Sub-location), Douglas Wanyonyi (Wabukhonyi Sub-location) are today (Friday, October 8) expected to testify in court when Masinde will be arraigned.
The injured officer who is said to be in stable condition is admitted at Webuye Hospital.
