A police inspector in Thindigua, Kiambu County, is recovering in hospital after accidentally shooting himself while pursuing suspected thieves on Friday evening.
The officer, attached to Thindigua Police Post, was chasing a gang that had stolen a gate from a construction site when the incident happened.
Police said the officer was drawing his Ceska pistol from his waist when he accidentally pulled the trigger, firing into his left thigh.
He was rushed to the hospital and admitted pending surgery to remove the lodged bullet. Despite the mishap, officers arrested the suspects and recovered the stolen gate. They are expected in court on Monday to face charges.
In Murang’a County, another officer was injured while on patrol in Gitugi, Mathioya. He fell into a ditch and hurt his left hand during the operation.
Meanwhile, in Kisii, police are investigating a senior female officer who fired two shots in the air during a confrontation with her husband near Kisii University. Authorities confirmed she was questioned over allegations of unlawful use of a firearm.
Separately, in Marsabit County, a police lorry was damaged during clashes with illegal miners at the Hillo gold site in Dabel, Moyale. Police said a multi-agency team was deployed after miners invaded the site, which had been closed for safety reasons.
The miners reportedly hurled stones at officers, prompting police to fire in the air to disperse the crowd. A police truck’s windshield was smashed in the confrontation.
The miners were later evicted from the site on August 29.
Mining activities had been banned at the site for safety reasons. Police said the site had been turned to a den of crime, with rape and robberies being reported.
The Hilo Gold Mine, situated near the Kenya-Ethiopia border in Dabel, has been a focal point for gold mining activities, attracting numerous youths seeking to earn a living through gold scavenging.
However, due to safety and security concerns, the government ordered the closure of the mine on March 14, 2024. Despite the closure, some miners continued their operations illegally, leading to deaths.
The area is among those with gold deposits, and hence attracts residents who venture there to make a living.
