Four die after being shot in foiled raid on police station

Four men have died after they were shot when they attempted to storm the Bondo Police Station in Siaya County to lynch two suspected kidnappers.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday night. Two died about 30 minutes later at the Bondo Sub-County Hospital, where they had been taken.

The other two died Thursday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Juliana Otieno, said three casualties were referred to the facility and two died.

“Of the three, two have died, while one is in a ward after undergoing surgery,” said Dr Otieno.

Five others were injured and taken to the Bondo Sub-County Hospital.

Three of those who died were part of an angry mob that wanted to force its way into the station, demanding the release of two women accused of kidnapping children.

The other one, 20-year-old Joseph Ondiaga, was on his way to a local market when two bullets hit him on the thigh and knee.

Efforts by police officers to disperse the enraged crowd failed, prompting them to lob tear gas canisters at them.

The protesters, however, insisted that the suspects be handed over to them.

In a statement, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda condemned the incident, saying an inquiry needs to be made to determine whether the objectives of national security are being met.

“It appears the police have not been trained well on dealing with demonstrations and protests as they still view those tools and rights in the exercise of freedom of expression as illegal until proven otherwise,” said Mr Orengo.

“The Jubilee administration has to decide whether it wants to govern the country as a democracy or as a police state, and whether Kenyans are free citizens or subjects of the State,” he added.

Bondo police boss Paul Kiarie said officers used live bullets after the crowd started pelting the station with stones.

“We had to call for reinforcement from other officers, including those in the Quick Response Team from Usenge, who dispersed the mob,” said Mr Kiarie.

He said the two suspects had been taken to the police station for questioning by a Good Samaritan who realised their lives were in danger.

The two women told the police that the child they were carrying belonged to their sister-in-law who had died in hospital after delivery.

They claimed they were taking the one-day-old baby to Nyang’oma Children’s Home.