The Independent Police Oversight Authority has condemned Saturday’s incident that left ten police officers injured at Malinya, Ikolomani, in Kakamega County.
In a statement on Monday, Ipoa chairperson Anne Makori said that the fans of the event displayed a criminal act that interrupted the provision of security.
Such acts foster anarchy, break the established orders in the society and exacerbate the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the country.
At the same time, she said the police were on duty to disperse an unauthorized bullfighting gathering to enforce the government directives on Covid-19.
About 60 officers drawn from Malaika police station and neighbouring Mumias West, Navakholo and Kakamega North sub-counties had raided the Malinya stadium to disperse a gathering during a bullfighting match for contravening the Covid-19 protocols.
Police say the gathering had not been authorized as required by the Covid-19 safety requirements.
On arrival, the bullfighters charged at the officers and started pelting them with stones.
The injured officers including operation commander George Opere sustained injuries on the rib cage, mouth, shoulders, back, head, legs and hands after being hit with stones and clubs.
They were treated at the Shibwe Level 4 Hospital and discharged. No casualties were reported among the public.
Four police vehicles were also damaged during the confrontation between police and the locals.
