Lamu, KENYA: An Administration Police Officer is nursing injuries after he was shot by a colleague following disagreements that emanated as they were having drinks in a bar at Mpeketoni town on Sunday evening.
Police Couplo Wesley Korir attached to the Meketoni Police stations in Lamu West had to be rushed to the Mpeketoni Sub-County hospital after he was shot accidently with a G3 riffle on his right knee.
A police officer who requested anonymity since he is not authorized to speak to the media said an argument ensued between Couplo Kennedy Ochieng and his colleague PC John Ngatia as they were having some drinks at Watiri Bar, prompting Mr Ngatia to rush to the police line and armed himself with his official G3 riffle with 20 rounds.
“He went back to the bar where he aimed at PC Ochieng. Before he could shoot, PC Ochieng managed to push the muzzle downwards but the bullet accidentally hit APC Wesley Korir on his right knee and suffered a fracture,” said the officer.
The enraged officer was later disarmed and arrested by colleagues from the Mpeketoni Police station who had quickly responded to the gunshot sound.
The incident was also confirmed by Lamu County Commissioner Mr Joseph Kanyiri who said that the matter was already under police investigation and that the officer will be arraigned in court any time.
“It is true. There was a shooting incident in a bar at Mpeketoni town after police officers disagreed on issues we are not aware of. One of the officers went ahead and armed himself with a gun. He aimed and shot his colleague, injuring him in his right leg. Te injured officer was rushed to Mpeketoni Sub-County hospital where he has been admitted and in stable condition. We are investigating the matter yet and the officer will soon be arraigned in court,” said Mr Kanyiri.
On January 10 this year, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer based at the Milimani GSU Recce camp shot his colleague on the stomach and injured him following a brawl at the Boni forest where they were all based and being part of the ongoing multiagency Linda Boni Security Operation meant to flush out Al-Shabaab militants believed to be hiding inside the dense forest.
On October 4, 2016, a GSU officer, Sergeant David Gitonga, attached to the Basuba GSU camp in Lamu East was shot dead by his colleagues within the camp in what is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity.
