An Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) police officer Robert Mungei Nyakeri is being held at Kitale police station for killing an inspector of police – Kwanza Sub-County Police Commander has confirmed.
Kwanza Sub-County Police Commander James Odera said the two police officers Nyakeri and the deceased Joseph Wanyangu quarrelled at a local entertainment joint over unpaid alcohol bills.
“One of our comrades working with the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Chepchoina who was on a pass-leave went to a local pub for a drink. In the process, the waiter told him to clear his unpaid bills to be served. The officer did not want to pay his bill. On the intervention of the Inspector, the ASTU officer pushed him, leading to a fight and throwing of beer bottles” Odera said.
Kitale victim was stabbed
The Kwanza Sub-County Police Commander further said that the fight escalated and other people in the pub ran to safety followed by the police inspector.
“Nyakeri followed Wanyangu and stabbed him before dashing to the police station to record a statement that he had been assaulted. Our officers at the station suspected him and arrested him before taking him to the scene of the crime where the inspector was found lying lifeless,” he added.
The ASTU police officer was stationed at Chepchoina camp in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County.
Scene of Crime Officers from Kitale DCI processed the scene and established that the body had six stab wounds.
Odera called on junior officers to adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanisms whenever they have differences amongst themselves instead of resorting to life-threatening mechanisms.
“I am asking police officers to be tolerant with one another. Deciding to murder your colleague or even suicide is not a solution to life’s challenges. So please, consider other available ways of resolving disputes” he appealed.
The body of the police inspector was taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital morgue awaiting post-mortem. The ASTU officer will be arraigned in court on Monday, June 27.
