Police in Dramatic Showdown with KDF Officers in Embakasi Scuffle
By Collins Wanzallah
A tense confrontation unfolded in the Embakasi area on Tuesday night when police officers on patrol clashed with two Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers and other suspects during an arrest. The incident, reported at the Embakasi Police Station under OB number 02/28/8/2024, occurred at 0200 hours.
According to the report, three police officers from Kware Police Station in Pipeline were on patrol when they arrested three individuals. Upon reaching the Cornerstone area within Pipeline estate, they apprehended two additional suspects, handcuffing them and placing them in the station vehicle.
As the officers were driving towards the police station, an unknown individual suddenly ran towards the vehicle, jumped inside, and violently grabbed one of the officers, a female, by the neck in an attempt to strangle her, according to the police OB report.
During the struggle, the two suspects who were previously arrested, later identified as KDF officers, joined in the scuffle, attempting to seize the police officer’s firearm. A chaotic scene ensued, with the suspects trying to grab the magazine of the firearm, resulting in a discharge.
The officers managed to drive to the station despite the struggle. It was discovered that the individual who had assaulted the female officer had sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh, while the officer suffered neck bruises, a torn sweater, and a ripped blouse. The injured suspect was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital for treatment.
Once at the station, the two KDF officers continued to behave violently and refused to identify themselves. After being subdued, a search revealed their identities as KDF personnel from the Kenya Air Force and Kenya Army. They also produced a military ID belonging to their colleague who had been injured.
The KDF officers were placed in custody at Embakasi Police Station as local Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers launched an investigation into the incident.
The authorities are now piecing together the details of the altercation, which has raised questions about the involvement of military personnel in a violent encounter with law enforcement. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
