Investigations into police, trader shooting under way

Police are investigating the shooting of a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer and a businessman by the area boss of the Flying Squad in Thika town on Saturday.

Constable Kevin Yakhama and local businessman Nelson Kahara Kamau were injured in what county police boss James Mugera said was “friendly fire”.

Mr Mugera said the shooting followed a commotion during the arrest of two people suspected to have stolen a vehicle.

The suspects are said to have forged documents and placed an advertisement in the local dailies selling the car.

Corporal Regina Mbithi, Constable Ann Kariutha and Constable Kevin Yakhama of Nanyuki DCI, who had tracked the suspects to Thika town, made contact posing as buyers.

The officers met the two near Mathai Supermarket but as they attempted to make an arrest, the suspects started a commotion, attracting a crowd and police officers on patrol, among them the area Flying Squad boss.

Mr Mugera said the Flying Squad boss mistook them for robbers and opened fire, injuring Constable Yakhama and Mr Kamau.

The officer was shot twice in the stomach while Mr Kamau was shot in the hand.

“It was only after he had fired that he realised they were police officers who were trailing criminal suspects,” Mr Mugera said.

However, the Nanyuki team is reported to have earlier alerted their Thika colleagues of their mission.

They even left their car at the local police station and went on their mission on foot.

The county police chief said the two suspects were handed over to the Nanyuki DCI.