Police have arrested 18 people suspected to have been behind the torching of Mbururu Police patrol base in Kakamega.
The mob was retaliating over the alleged disappearance of a suspect, Denis Lusava, alias Makali who was arrested on October 7 and released thereafter.
The suspect is said to have been released on free bond at 12.40pm but never returned home.
The suspect in question; Denis Lusava alias Makali had been arrested on 7th October 2020 for assaulting the officer in charge of Mbururu patrol base but was released on a free bond at 12.40pm pending the filling of a P3 form.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 9, 2020
His mother reported the matter at the police base after which she was referred to the OCS for assistance.
According to the DCI, the OCS promptly attended to the matter. It was after reaching the patrol base that he met at least 200 youths who hurled stones at him.
He was seriously injured while six other officers from his station lost their personal effects and equipment in the 11am attack.
Calm was restored with the help of Administration Police officers, DCI and GSU from Mt Elgon.
Instead, the mob pelted stones on him where he incurred serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, before torching the patrol base and damaging the police motor vehicle.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 9, 2020
Western regional police commander Perris Muthoni urged residents to help trace Lusava.
“We are appealing to the public to volunteer information on the whereabouts of the suspect who went into hiding after release from police custody,” she said.
The 18 suspects will be arraigned on Monday.