Policeman shoots dead two people in bar in Uasin Gishu

A rogue police officer shot and killed two people in a drama that broke out in a bar in Juakali area, Turbo, Uasin Gishu County.

Another person was shot and injured in the drama that happened on Thursday June 26, at night. The constable of police from Tembeleo police station in Moiben Sub County was later arrested and disarmed as he tried to escape the scene of crime, police said.

According to police and revelers at the bar, the police officer identified as Eric Kirui went to a joint called Kokwet while armed with an AK47 rifle and opened fire.

This led to the death of one Caroline Malakwen, with whoM the officer was cohabiting as a wife and was the owner of Kokwet pub and one Ignatius Kipchumba alias Mwala.

He also shot and wounded another person who was there, police said. The victim was injured in the head by what police believed to be a ricochet and rushed to hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.

Police said they rushed to the scene and found their colleague trying to escape and was disarmed of his rifle, which had 22 bullets.

It was later confirmed the officer was issued with the firearm for night duties on Thursday, but instead he took a bodaboda, which he possibly used to get to get to the scene.

He is believed to have been trailing the woman. The two bodies were removed to MTRH hospital mortuary in Eldoret pending post-mortem.

Police said they are investigating the incident. Police link such incidents to trauma from their work.

Dozens of police officers have died as a result of suicide or killed many in a trend that is attributed to stress at work.

As part of efforts to address the trend, police authorities have launched counselling services and the National Police Service Commission has established a unit and staffed it to attend to their demanding situation.

The counselling unit will, among other things, evaluate, design and lead an outreach programme that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse.

Officials say police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems.

They are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk. Authorities are making efforts to address the menace.