Trans-Nzoia chief shot with arrow in illicit brew crackdown

A map of Kitale in Trans Nzoia County. Kabolet Assistant Chief Julius Sabatia was rushed to Kitale County Referral Hospital for treatment after he was shot with an arrow during a crackdown on illicit liquor trade on November 22, 2017. PHOTO | GOOGLE MAPS

What you need to know:

  • The assistant chief is being treated at Kitale County Referral Hospital.
  • Police recovered a bow and arrow suspected to have been used to attack the assistant chief.
  • They have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

An administrator in Trans-Nzoia County was shot with an arrow in the back on Wednesday evening during a crackdown on illicit brew.

Mr Julius Sabatia, the assistant chief of Kabolet Sub-Location, was rushed to the Kitale County Referral Hospital where he is receiving treatment.

ILLICIT LIQUOR

According to Mr Sabatia, he knows his attacker – an illicit brewer. He said the man has been arrested many times over illicit brew.

"We have been arresting him most of the time but he has never stopped. So I was on a crackdown operation in the area when I decided to visit his home at around 5pm. He was in the company of his customers when I asked him why he has never heeded our calls to stop [illicit brew trade] – it was on a lighter note," he told the Nation at the hospital.

"He could not answer my question so I decided to leave, only to feel a sharp pain in the back. When I checked I realised that an arrow had pierced my flesh. I immediately tried to remove the arrow to avoid being poisoned while I screamed for help," he recalled.

FLED

The attacker, who is yet to be identified, fled immediately.

Makutano assistant chief Johnathan Kiptoo condemned the incident.

He appealed to members of the public to be calm and urged police to investigate the attack.

"It is quite unusual for someone doing his work only to be shot with an arrow. We urge the police to take necessary action against the attacker who has gone into hiding," said Mr Kiptoo.

BOW AND ARROW

Police who visited the scene recovered the bow and arrow allegedly used in the offence.

Trans-Nzoia county police commander Samson ole Kine said that a manhunt has been launched for the suspect.

"We just appeal to the residents to be calm and let the police do their work," he said.