Photo: Courtesy
In the early hours of Friday, December 27, 2024, a police officer from Matuu Police Station in Machakos County was arrested after discharging 30 rounds from an AK-47 rifle inside Imperial Lounge, Yatta, following a dispute over a woman.
The incident began around 2:40 a.m. when Police Constable Fredrick Kipchoge caused a disturbance at the nightclub, prompting staff to alert authorities. Upon arrival, officers found that Kipchoge had already left the premises.
At approximately 5:25 a.m., Kipchoge returned to the police station and retrieved an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, a weapon assigned to another officer on patrol duty. He then proceeded back to Imperial Lounge, followed by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and additional officers who had become aware of the escalating situation.
Upon confrontation, Kipchoge claimed he intended to arrest a man he accused of stealing his girlfriend. As officers attempted to disarm him, a struggle ensued, during which Kipchoge fired all 30 rounds from the rifle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The officers successfully subdued and arrested him, subsequently placing him in custody at Matuu Police Station.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Yatta has launched an investigation into the incident. This event highlights ongoing concerns regarding disorderly conduct involving police officers, despite internal efforts to address such issues.
In a related incident, a 30-year-old man was hospitalized after being shot by a police officer outside a nightclub in Naivasha. The victim, Ngugi, was attending an event when an intoxicated officer allegedly shot him following a brief altercation. These incidents underscore the need for continued scrutiny and reform within the police force to prevent misuse of authority and ensure public safety.
