Kirinyaga police officer arrested for killing colleague during fight

A police officer shot and killed a colleague during a physical confrontation at Gathambi Coffee Factory in Kirinyaga County on November 1, 2020.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

A police officer shot and killed his colleague under unclear circumstances at Gathambi Coffee Factory in Kirinyaga County on Sunday, police and residents have said.

Residents said the two picked up a quarrel for unknown reasons while guarding the factory at dawn.

They said that it was during the physical confrontation that followed that the shooting took place, with the victim dying at the scene.

Factory worker Patrick Karani said he heard gunshots and rushed to the scene only to find the victim lying in a pool of blood.

Another worker, Gerald Muriithi, said he suspected that one of the officers was drunk at the time of the confrontation.

"One of the officers preaches in this area so when we heard that he was involved in a deadly gun battle we were taken aback," a resident said.

Another added, "Fear gripped us as the sounds of gunshots rent the air. We thought gangsters had invaded the factory but later learnt that officers were fighting.”

Kirinyaga West Sub-County police boss Joseph Mwika said the shooter was arrested and taken to Baricho Police Station and the body to Kibugi Funeral Home.

"We don't know what transpired before one officer shot the other," he said and appealed to residents to give police helpful information as they investigate the incident.

Prior to the incident, the two officers were based at Ndiriti Police Post.