The Independent Policing Oversight Authority on Thursday condemned the killing of Inspector Simon Mwangi Kariuki of Ndori in Siaya County who  was attacked on Wednesday by villagers together with another officer during a crackdown on illicit brew.

Ipoa chairperson Anne Makori in a statement  said preliminary reports indicate that he was attacked and stoned to death.

“IPOA sends a message of solidarity and condolences to the Inspector General of Police and the entire Service as they continue to dispense services aimed at securing the country from internal threats to the security and wellbeing of all Kenyans. The Authority also condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of IP Kariuki,” read the statement.

The police oversight body cautioned against attacks on police officers on duty as this impedes the provision of security services, strips the public of policing services, exacerbates disregard to the rule of law in Kenya and is equivalent to challenging Kenya’s sovereignty.

“Such criminal acts call for firm but lawful management by the police to ensure restoration of order and sustainable peace countrywide. IPOA remains committed to being independent, impartial and fair,” read the statement.

Simon Mwangi Kariuki is said to have left the station together with his colleague Wilfred Maina at around 7.00 pm and proceeded to Oyude market after they got information that Caren Okumu alias Nyaseme was in possession of illicit alcohol.

On arrival, the officers arrested the said lady Nyaseme with 21 sachets of 100ml each and 4 packets of Supermatch cigarettes for export.

According to the police incident report, the suspect raised an alarm before rowdy youth accosted the officers and started pelting them with stones and crude weapons thereby fatally injuring the inspector of police.

Maina managed to escape with injuries on his right shoulder.

In the event, the inspector Kariuki’s pistol with unknown number of ammunition was robbed off from him as he is said to have fired five shots in the air to scare away the attackers in vain before he succumbed to injuries.

ENDS