At least 47 suspects were Saturday arrested following an incident where a mob attacked and vandalized Macalder police station in Migori County.
The operation was conducted by dozens of mobilized police officers in Copper Hill, Osiri Junction and Matanda areas, police said.
The suspects were detained pending grilling to establish who participated in the attack of the police station and torching of cars.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has condemned the attack.
“What happened was wrong and should never happen again. We condemn it and will seek justice,” he said.
There was chaos in parts of Nyatike Sub County on Friday after a peaceful protest over a robbery incident turned violent, leaving at least 22 police officers injured and property destroyed at Macalder Police Station.
The group was protesting against a surge in crime in the area, police said.
Police said the demonstration began peacefully at around 9:00 a.m. but later turned chaotic when a group of rowdy youths stormed the police station and the office of the Deputy County Commissioner in the area.
The protest was sparked by anger among residents following a robbery with violence incident in which an M-Pesa agent identified as Peter Onyango was shot and killed on the night of March 12 at around 11:10 p.m.
He was shot and killed in a robbery, police said.
This angered locals who staged a protest demanding justice for the murder.
Officers initially managed to disperse the crowd, but the protesters regrouped and forced their way into the police station compound where they vandalised property and set vehicles ablaze.
Among the property destroyed was a Toyota Land Cruiser, which was completely burnt.
A Ford Ranger belonging to the station was also badly damaged after its windscreen and windows were shattered with stones, its body dented and doors destroyed.
An excavator identified as a Develon DX300LCA, which had been detained at the station as an exhibit, had all its windows and door panes shattered.
A JCB 3DX was also vandalised with its windscreens damaged.
The mob further vandalised several offices within the station, including the report office, the Officer Commanding Station’s office and the Sub-County Police Commander’s office. The door to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations exhibit store was also damaged.
In the violence, six houses belonging to police officers were burnt to the ground, leaving the affected families with nothing salvaged.
Police said 22 officers sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The Migori County Police Commander and a constable of police were rushed to Migori County Referral Hospital and LifeCare Hospital for treatment.
Authorities also believe several members of the public may have sustained injuries during the clashes, although the exact number remains unknown.
Security has since been reinforced in the area as investigations into the incident continue. Police are also pursuing suspects believed to have participated in the destruction of government property.
The killing of the M-Pesa agent that sparked turbulent occurred on March 12, 2026, at around 8:30 p.m. It is the latest such incident amid calls for action to address the trend.
The victim, Peter Onyango, a 30-year-old raised the alarm when two armed men stormed the shop brandishing an AK-47 assault rifle and demanding money.
The robbers fired three shots during the attack. Onyango was shot on the right side of the chest and rushed to Migori County Referral Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries en route.
Police officers recovered one spent 7.92 mm special cartridge and a yellow helmet believed to have been left behind by the assailants. The suspects escaped on a motorcycle without registration plates.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
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