Tension gripped residents of Musanda in Mumias West after armed assailants staged a brazen night attack on Musanda Police Station, injuring three police officers and a civilian before escaping with two G3 rifles loaded with ammunition.
The incident occurred on Friday night at the patrol base located in Mumias West Sub-County, Kakamega County.
According to a police report recorded at around 9:00pm by Police Constable Brian Kipngetich, six individuals riding on two motorcycles arrived at the station claiming that their motorcycle had been stolen at Sigomere. The officers initially treated the report as a normal complaint.
However, moments after making the report, a commotion erupted within the station compound, followed by a gunshot. Kipngetich stated that he heard one of the attackers remark, “there is another one,” before he was shot on the left side of the head. He managed to retreat back to his house despite sustaining injuries.
The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and other officers responded swiftly to the scene at Mukhuwa Location, where they found Corporal Richard Utolo unconscious and lying in a pool of blood with a visible gunshot wound on the chin. He was rushed to hospital and is currently admitted in serious condition.
Kipngetich sustained a slight head injury during the confrontation, while Police Constable Finace Abura suffered a wound to his left ear. Abura’s wife, Mary Omondi, who was within the police line houses during the attack, sustained injuries to her head and right hand.
Police confirmed that the attackers made away with two G3 rifles, each loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition — a development that has heightened security concerns in the region.
The injured officers were rushed to Bungoma West Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.
Senior security officers, including the Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) for Mumias West, visited the scene to assess the situation and oversee preliminary investigations.
Investigators reported observing blood stains inside the officers’ houses. Two crowbars believed to have been used to break into a steel box were recovered at the scene.
A manhunt has since been launched for the assailants, with police confirming that efforts to recover the stolen rifles and any spent cartridges are ongoing.
The motive of the attack remains unclear, but security agencies have intensified patrols in and around Mumias West as investigations continue.
