Locals storm police station after officers caught slaughtering stolen cow
By Titus Ominde
Kaptagat police station in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, came to standstill Tuesday when residents of Koibarak area stormed the premises after police officers were found slaughtering a cow allegedly stolen from a local villager.
The two officers were busted as they prepared their botched early Christmas feast after residents, who were looking for missing stock, stormed the station.
Irate residents also barricaded Kaptagat-Eldoret Road while demanding arrest of the officers involved.
Police shot in the air in a bid to disperse the surging crowd at the station.
Acting Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Patrick Njoroge appealed for calm as they launch investigations into the incident. The owner of the cow, Mary Barmasai, asked the police to compensate her.
"This was my only cow. Its value was Sh100,000. I am not interested in stories and demonstrations, I want to be compensated.”
Residents allege that this is not the first case of cattle theft by law enforcers as they claimed that livestock has been disappearing under unclear circumstances.
"Our cows have been disappearing and police have been reluctant to investigate the incidents. Today's incident has confirmed that police are behind this,” said John Kiptoo, a resident of Flax area in Kaptagat.
Mr Njoroge said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
"No one is above the law," he said.
