Exhumation in Kakamega turns ugly, 5 police officers injured

Mr Kamonde said the non-locals attacked the home guards and that one was shot three times in different parts of his body. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kakamega South OCPD Bernestein Shari confirmed incident and said a police vehicle was also damaged during the melee.

Five police officers were Monday injured after they ran into a hostile crowd at Museno in Kakamega County.

The injured officers were providing security for people who were exhuming the body of a woman identified as Lustina following a land dispute.

Kakamega South OCPD Bernestein Shari confirmed incident and said a police vehicle was also damaged during the melee.

Mr Shari said hostile villagers engaged police in running battles in an attempt to stop the exhumation of the body of the woman.

She was buried about two weeks ago.

Mr Shari said the villagers started hurling stones at the police officers prompting them to lob tear gas canisters to disperse the rowdy crowd.

But the officers had to flee for the lives after the villagers overpowered them.

"Villagers turned chaotic and stoned the police. They felt that the process of exhuming the body was disturbing the dead," said Mr Shari.

Police called off the process and exhumation will resume after engaging the locals.

Ms Eglin Robai, a witness, said the person who bought the land is not known to the locals.

"The deceased is said to have sold the land before she died. The dispute began when she was buried on the land following her death and the new owner wants her body exhumed,” said Ms Robai.

She added: "This is what has angered the public. They turned violent and overpowered the police. Police were injured and tension is high."