Man disarmed, arrested after shooting at son-in-law in child upkeep row in Athi River

FILE IMAGE OF A POLICE LINE

A meeting to resolve a dispute over the upkeep of a child turned tragic when the parties involved fought at a home in Kinanie, Athi River, Machakos County.

Part of the drama was caught on camera and showed a man dangerously brandishing a pistol and pointing at a man in a car before he was pulled away.

The dispute almost turned deadly when the father of the woman whose child is in dispute shot and missed the man (son-in-law) who had been summoned for talks on the upkeep, police and witnesses said.

The gunman is a licensed civilian firearm holder.

According to police, Gabriel Kitenga had called for a meeting at his Kimongo area where the son in-law and his parents had arrived for talks on the upkeep of a child he had sired with his daughter.

The estranged husband identified as Hillary Khamsali arrived with his parents for the talks before an argument broke out and went physical.

The group fought from the compound and the chaos escalated outside where a car the visitors had arrived in was damaged.

Some of those present complained of being assaulted and injured. Police advised them to seek medical attention and P3 forms.

Police were called to the scene and calmed the situation before they ordered they all go to the Kinanie police post for talks on the way forward.

While at the post, more drama broke out when Khamsali started to take a video and photos of the happenings there, police said.

This angered Kitenga who pulled out his Berretta pistol and fired once towards Khamsali missing him by a whisker, police said.

The bullet hit the report office wall as other officers present took cover. The team later disarmed Kitenga and arrested him.

The pistol had nine bullets when it was recovered from the man, police said.

A spent cartridge was recovered at the scene. The gunman was detained pending further grilling and possible arraignment. Khamsali and his group complained of being assaulted and were asked to seek medical attention and other procedures.

Police said they intend to take action in the saga.

There are about 15,000 licensed civilian firearm holders in the country. Just like police officers and other members of disciplined services, some of the licensed civilian firearm holders misuse the weapons in many ways.

Police say they have mechanisms of dealing with the menace.

The licensed firearm holders go through a rigorous process to be given a permit to possess the weapons.