Police vehicles burnt, 22 officers injured as protest turns violent in Nyatike, Migori County
Police vehicles burnt, 22 officers injured as protest turns violent in Nyatike, Migori County
Tension gripped 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 a man identified as Peter Onyango was reportedly shot on the night of March 12 at around 11:10 p.m.
He was an Mpesa attendant and 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.