A police operation to capture suspects linked to the killing of two young men in Kasipul turned violent when a mob attacked detectives at the home of the late MP Ong’ondo Were, helping five suspects escape custody.
The officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had cornered the suspects at Kosele Trading Centre before they fled into the former MP’s compound in Kachien Village, Central Kasipul Ward. The team pursued them to the homestead, where they managed to arrest five men believed to have been involved in last week’s double murder at Opondo area.
But as the officers prepared to leave, more than 100 youths stormed the compound, armed with crude weapons, and attacked the police in a bid to rescue the suspects. In the ensuing chaos, three officers were injured, among them Rachuonyo South Sub-County DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi.
“The officers were assaulted at the homestead of the late MP Ong’ondo Were, where the suspects had been hiding,” said Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem. He said the attackers overpowered the officers, allowing the suspects to escape, one of them still in handcuffs.
The injured officers were taken to Rachuonyo South Sub-County Hospital for treatment. Police have since launched a manhunt to re-arrest the suspects and trace those who organized the mob assault.
Koilem said investigations are underway to establish the motive behind the attack and how the suspects ended up hiding at the late MP’s residence.
