Prison officer in Coast General Hospital shooting incident faces interdiction
Coast General Hospital. A prison officer who opened fire, injuring a nurse and two other people, may be interdicted, deputy officer in-charge of Shimo La Tewa Prison Meshack Okiya has said. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Those who witnessed the shocking incident said two officers in plain clothes shot indiscriminately injuring a nurse and two other people.
- The nurse, Ms Lucy Njoki, said she was shot in the right thigh as she entered the hospital through the staff entrance.
- The officer has been disarmed awaiting disciplinary action from the commissioner, Mr Okiya added.
A prison officer who on Monday night opened fire on a group of people visiting patients at Coast General Hospital may be interdicted.
The deputy officer in charge of Shimo La Tewa Prison, Mr Meshack Okiya, said Wednesday that although the officer was acting “on a distress call’’ by guards at the facility, he acted in a careless manner.
Those who witnessed the shocking incident said two officers in plain clothes shot indiscriminately, injuring a nurse and two other people.
The nurse, Ms Lucy Njoki, who has worked at the hospital for more than 20 years, said she was shot in the right thigh as she entered the hospital through the staff entrance.
The other victims were identified as a college student and a friend who had accompanied her to visit a relative being treated at the hospital.
“It was around 8pm as I was entering the staff gate when I heard gunshots. I thought it was a grenade and a few minutes later blood was oozing from my leg,” Ms Njoki, who was the night duty nurse, told the Nation.
She was scheduled for minor surgery later Wednesday.
The victims recorded statements at the Makupa Police Station on Tuesday.
WRITTEN TO PRISONS BOSS
Speaking to the Nation Wednesday, Mr Okiya said he had written to Commissioner-General of Prisons Isaiah Osugo to have the prison officer interdicted.
Mr Okiya said the armed officer was guarding two prisoners who were being treated at Coast General Hospital when a distress call from the guards was raised and he responded to it.
The officer shot at two people who entered through a door usually reserved for medical staff after guards claimed there were suspicious people forcing themselves into the hospital through the wrong gate, said Mr Okiya.
“The matter was reported at Makupa Police Station and it is under investigations.
“But I rushed to the scene after receiving reports on the shooting. The officer was in civilian clothes due to security reasons.
"He cocked his firearm, shooting two people while answering a distress call from the guards,” he added.
The officer has been disarmed awaiting disciplinary action from the commissioner, Mr Okiya added.
He, however, denied claims that the officer was drunk as alleged by some of the victims.
“He wasn’t drunk. He cocked his gun and it went off; he was a bit careless. It was accidental but (it is) a case that needs investigation for misuse of a firearm,” he added.
