Families of slain policemen to receive Sh10m each

Families of slain officers at Kapenguria Police Station in West Pokot County brought to tears by ordeal on July 15, 2016. The families will be compensated. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said the government would continue to improve the welfare of police officers as part of reforms in the security departments.

The families of seven police officers killed on Thursday at the Kapenguria Police Station will receive Sh10 million each from the insurance scheme established in 2014.

Speaking at Mwimbi in Tharaka-Nithi County on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said the government would continue to improve the welfare of police officers as part of reforms in the security departments.

Prof Kindiki noted that one of the slain officers, Constable Robert Kinyua, was from Tharaka.

“Kinyua was an orphan and was the bread winner of his extended family,” said the Tharaka-Nithi senator.

He said the policy administered by Pioneer Insurance Company covers all security personnel, including prison warders, for death or injury in the line of duty.

“The Jubilee government endeavours to support its officers and the families of those who die or get injured while in the line of duty,” said Prof Kindiki.

Speaking separately in Marimanti Town in the same county, Tharaka MP Mburi Muiru called for increased vigilance to thwart such incidents.

Elsewhere, the widow of a police officer killed in the Kapenguria attack has said she learnt of her husband’s death through social media.

Betty Ochieng said that when she heard on radio that there was a gun attack at the police station, she tried reaching her husband, Gideon Ochieng, without success.

This prompted her to check her husband’s Facebook page, where she saw condolence messages over his death.

Mr Ochieng was among the seven officers killed by a colleague, identified as Abdi Hakim Maslah. Among those killed was a General Service Unit Recce commando.