Six suspects arrested over fatal shooting of police officer in Thika Town

At least six suspects were at the weekend arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an undercover police officer in Kiandutu area, Thika Town.

Constable Bernard Koome was on June 18 shot and killed as he confronted a gunman riding on a motorcycle with a concealed number plate at the interchange of Thika Road and Garissa Road.

Teams from the area and others from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said an analysis on a mobile phone recovered from the scene had helped to open up the case.

One of the suspects has a valid certificate of a firearm. They were arrested in Kahawa West and Ruiru areas.

The owner of the mobile phone that was recovered at the scene was also arrested, police said.

Police said they hope to make more arrests in connection with the murder.

Koome of Spiv in Thika was in the company of other colleagues when he was shot in the neck.

Spiv consists of undercover cops who patrol in cities to contain different forms of crimes.

The officers were within Cravers area when they sighted a suspicious motorcycle and intercepted it.

Upon intercepting it, the rider abandoned it and started to run away, police said.

He then knelt down pretending to surrender as the two police officers approached him.

According to police, the suspect drew a gun and started firing aimlessly as the officers who were caught off-guard took cover.

In the process, he shot Koome in the neck as he escaped on foot, witnesses and police said.

The other colleagues pursued the gunman who continued firing in the air as he was escaping, witnesses and police said.

One of the colleagues who was not armed picked Koome’s pistol and pursued the suspect for a short while before he vanished.

This is after the suspect hijacked a bodaboda rider who had carried a pillion passenger and ordered him off the motorcycle.

A video that captured the drama showed the suspect approach the rider at gunpoint and take control of the motorcycle before riding off.

By then, Constable Koome had been rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.

A major operation was conducted in the area in vain.

Police said two spent cartridges of 9mm calibre were found at the scene.

A Czeska pistol magazine was also recovered loaded with seven rounds of 9mm. The magazine belonged to the suspect.