A police inspector in Thindigua, Kiambu County, is recovering in hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh while pursuing a group of suspected thieves.
The incident happened on Friday evening when the officer, attached to Thindigua Police Post, was chasing a gang accused of stealing a metal gate from a construction site. According to police reports, the officer was attempting to draw his Ceska pistol from his waist when he unintentionally pulled the trigger. The bullet struck his left thigh, causing serious injuries.
Colleagues rushed him to hospital, where he was admitted and scheduled for surgery to remove the lodged bullet. Despite the mishap, other officers at the scene managed to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen gate. The suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court on Monday to face theft charges.
In a separate incident in Murang’a County, another officer was injured during patrol duties in Gitugi, Mathioya. He reportedly fell into a ditch and sustained injuries to his left hand while conducting an operation.
Meanwhile, in Kisii County, police have launched investigations into a senior female officer who discharged her firearm during a domestic confrontation near Kisii University. Reports indicate that she fired two shots in the air following a quarrel with her husband. She has since been questioned over allegations of unlawful use of a firearm, with further disciplinary action expected.
Elsewhere in Marsabit County, tension erupted when police clashed with illegal miners at the Hillo gold site in Dabel, Moyale. The mine, located near the Kenya-Ethiopia border, had been officially shut down in March 2024 due to safety and security concerns. However, miners continued operating illegally, turning the site into a hotspot for criminal activity, including robberies and cases of sexual violence.
When security officers moved in to evict the miners, they were met with resistance, as the miners hurled stones at them. Police responded by firing in the air to disperse the crowd. A police truck was damaged during the confrontation after its windshield was smashed. Authorities confirmed that the miners were successfully evicted on August 29.
The Hillo Gold Mine has long been a magnet for job-seeking youths in the region. But repeated reports of deaths, injuries, and rising crime have forced the government to maintain the ban on operations. Officials reiterated that the closure will remain in place until safety can be guaranteed.
