Crime sceneA 40-year-old man sustained injuries after he was allegedly shot by a senior police officer in Mwingi West, Kitui county.
The incident that happened on Wednesday morning caused public uproar with residents demanding for the officer's immediate arrest.
Migwani Deputy County Commissioner Shukia Rutati termed the incident at Itoloni location as unfortunate and called for calm and patience among the residents.
Rutati said the said officer discharged the bullet after members of the public became angry during the arrest of two stock theft suspects in the area.
"It's unfortunate because during the incident, members of the public were angry and in that situation, when the suspects were arrested, there was a scaffle and a member of the public was injured," Rutati said.
She spoke shortly after the incident happened at Itoloni location within her subcounty.
The administrator said the man was shot on the hand.
"The bullet passed through and as we speak, I'm from hospital to assess his condition. He is in stable condition and we have made a referral to Mwingi Level 4 hospital," Rutati said.
She said through information from the public, they managed to arrest the two suspects and recovered six goats that had been reportedly stolen.
"Through information we got from the public and NGAO since we have had several incidents of stock theft, we have been successful today. Two people have been arrested and six goats recovered," she said.
She said two people had already identified their recovered goats by the time she was speaking.
Rutati said the suspects, both women, were booked at a police station.
The DCC said that according to the intelligence they had as the subcounty security and intelligence committee, there were more suspects involved in the stock theft syndicate in the area.
"It's not only the two, but a cartel that's well organised to steal from the public their livestock after their hard work of rearing the animals. We will conduct investigations. Both the arrested suspects are women, they will tell us their accomplices," Rutati said.
She said all those involved in the crime must be arrested and charged in court, asserting that they won't allow a few people to deprive the majority of their hard earned sweat.
"It's a warning to those involved in stock theft. Those arrested suspects will serve as example to those involved in the crime. We have exhibits and suspects in custody," she said.
Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna condemned the shooting incident terming it unjustifiable.
Nguna said police officers shouldn't use live bullets to disperse the public while they have options of using teargas canisters or rubber bullets.
"I thank DCC Rutati for her efforts to ensure that stock theft thieves have been arrested. But, I urge police officers; this is cartridge used to shoot a Kenyan who has a right to life," Nguna said.
He continued: "You can't use live bullets to disperse the public. You should first use teargas canisters, then rubber bullets, not a live bullet like this. We demand immediate transfer of the OCS. He should go, he has made a mistake of using a live bullet."
The legislator urged constituents to record statements on stock theft incidents in their communities as a way of helping address the crime.
