A police officer has been arrested in Kajiado County after fatally shooting a driver in what authorities described as a case of mistaken identity. The tragic incident occurred in Kathasyo, Masimba, where residents say a routine evening turned deadly.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver, identified as Samuel Mutua Mulwa, was traveling with four passengers on the evening of September 15 when their van developed mechanical problems. They stopped by the roadside near Muoni River to attend to the issue, carrying plastic jerricans meant for fetching water.
Moments later, a Probox vehicle with full headlights approached from the opposite direction and stopped. A uniformed police officer alighted and demanded to know what the group was doing in the area. Before the passengers could respond, the officer allegedly opened fire, striking the driver in the abdomen.
The wounded driver was rushed to Makindu Sub-County Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Medical staff noted gunshot injuries consistent with the bullet having lodged inside his stomach. His body was later moved to the hospital mortuary, pending a post-mortem examination.
Investigations revealed that the officer was on patrol duties assigned to protect fibre optic cables, which have been frequent targets of vandalism in the region. The destruction of these cables often disrupts internet and communication services across the country, leading to significant economic losses.
At the time of his arrest, the officer was armed with an Agalile Ace 521 rifle and had 25 rounds of ammunition. He was disarmed with 17 live rounds still intact, leading investigators to suspect that at least eight shots had been fired during the incident. The officer is now under interrogation as authorities piece together the sequence of events.
Meanwhile, in a separate case in Lodwar, Turkana County, police are investigating the abduction of a woman by armed men. The incident took place on the same evening when gunmen fired in the air, forcing the woman’s husband to flee for safety. The attackers escaped with the victim on a motorcycle. A spent AK-47 cartridge and a smartphone believed to have been dropped by the suspects were recovered at the scene.
Authorities say such abductions are not uncommon in Turkana, often linked to cultural practices or financial motives. Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.
