Policeman shoots girlfriend and GSU inspector dead then kills himself in Meru

A Kenya Police Service officer on Sunday evening shot and killed his colleague and a General Service Unit officer before killing himself at a bar in Kinisa Market in Igembe North, Meru County.

The GSU officer, who is a chief inspector, and the female officer were drinking at the bar when the enraged officer shot at them, killing them instantly before turning the gun on himself.

The killer officer, who was based at Laare Police Station, is said to have been angry at the woman, with whom he claimed he had a relationship before she left him.

Detectives were Monday morning trying to piece together the events that led to the 11pm incident.

Kenya Police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki said Constable Joseph Kipngetich Cheruiyot, based at the Laare Police Station, had picked up a Ceska pistol, serial number 2783, for official duties at around 11.15pm Sunday night.

He, however, went to Club Tenax and Restaurant in Mutuati market, about 6 kilometres from the police station.

He found his girlfriend — Police Constable Grace Sheila Kioko, based at Mutuati Patrol Base — having drinks with Chief Inspector Benson Mwadime, who was in charge of the Kinisa General Service Unit (GSU) camp.

He shot the two dead before shooting himself.

HEARD SEVERAL GUNSHOTS

Mr Peter Waruru, who was outside the bar during the incident, told the Nation that he heard several gunshots before patrons started running out of the bar.

Mr Waruru, who recorded a statement at the Mutuati Police Station, said he would reveal more after speaking with the investigating officers.

A team of senior police officers, led by Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga, on Monday morning left Meru for Mutuati.

“We have information that the shooter, who is an officer, opened fire at the two officers and then killed himself in the same bar.

“He claimed that the woman was his wife, but the incident is currently under investigation and I am on my way to the scene to gather more information,” Mr Nyagwanga told the Nation by phone.

INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON

The county commissioner, however, said he had no further information about what triggered the shooting but said investigations were under way.

Igembe North OCPD Cornelius Sing’oei told the Nation that he would address the media after investigations were complete.

“We will be giving more information after the matter is thoroughly investigated and then we can give you a comprehensive report,” Mr Sing’oei said.

The bodies of the three officers were taken to the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

The club’s owner, Mr Lazaro Ngolo, told police that the officer just walked in and shot the two without saying a word.

Afterwards, the Igembe North OCPD and his deputy visited the scene and established that the dead people were all police officers.

In January, an Administration Police officer shot and killed his girlfriend at a bar at Kianjai Market in the same county.

The couple were drinking at the bar when the AP shot the woman, killing her instantly.