Police officer shot dead at Cravers area in Thika

Crime scene./FILE

A Thika-based police officer attached to SPIV has been shot dead in the Cravers area of Thika West Sub-County.

The incident happened in the Kianjau area at about 4 pm.

Constable Bernard Koome of Spiv in Thika was in the company of other colleagues when he was shot in the neck.

The officers were within Craver's area when they sighted a suspicious motorcycle and intercepted it.

Upon intercepting it, the rider abandoned it and started running away, firing aimlessly. In the process he shot Koome in the neck as he escaped on foot, witnesses and police said.

The other colleagues pursued the gunman, who continued firing in the air as he was escaping, witnesses and police said.

A major operation was conducted in the area in vain. Police said two spent cartridges of 9mm calibre were found at the scene.

A Czeska pistol magazine was also recovered loaded with four rounds of 9mm.

The officer was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said no arrest was made.