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The officers arrested the suspect with 21 sachets of the said alcohol and four packets of cigarettes that they said were for export.
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In the process, the suspect raised an alarm alerting the residents who raced to the suspect's rescue by stonning the two officers.
Image: FILE
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has condemned the attack and killing of a police officer in Siaya.
On Wednesday, Inspector Simon Mwangi Kariuki of Ndori police station was attacked by villagers together with another officer during a crackdown on illicit brew.
In a statement, Ipoa chairperson Anne Makori said preliminary reports indicate that he was attacked and stoned to death.
"IPOA sends a message of solidarity and condolences to the Inspector General of Police and the entire Service as they continue to dispense services aimed at securing the country from internal threats to the security and wellbeing of all Kenyans," Makori said.
"The authority also condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of IP Kariuki."
IPOA cautioned against attacks on police officers on duty as they impede the provision of security services, strip the public of policing services, and exacerbate disregard for the rule of law.
"Such criminal acts call for firm but lawful management by the police to ensure restoration of order and sustainable peace countrywide," she added.
"IPOA remains committed to being independent, impartial and fair."
Kariuki who has been in charge of the crime branch and his colleague booked and proceeded to a scene to arrest a suspect who was allegedly found in possession of illicit brew.
This was part of an ongoing operation against suspected illicit brew and drugs.
The officers arrested the suspect with 21 sachets of the said alcohol and four packets of cigarettes that they claimed were for export.
In the process, the suspect raised an alarm alerting the residents who raced to the suspect's rescue by stonning the two officers.
They also allegedly used crude weapons to attack the officers killing Kariuki on the spot as his colleague escaped for his life but with injuries.
Kariuki fired five bullets into the air to scare the mob in vain.
The mob attacked and killed him before snatching his pistol and vanishing from the scene.
When news of the death spread out contingents of police officers including senior ones from Siaya rushed to the scene.
They demanded the weapon be handed back even as they hunt for those behind the incident.
Police said the suspect who had been arrested was detained and is assisting in the probe and hunt for the attackers.
The officer's body was moved to Lwak Mission Hospital mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.