NAIROBI—The Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Fred Matiang’i flanked by the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai released a report on December 5 at the Administration Police Training College, indicating at least of 53 police officers died in the line duty, mostly in the Northeastern counties of Wajir, Garissa and Mandera.
The regular police unit lost seven officers while Kenya Prison Service lost one, the data on the plaque shows. The AP unit bore the greatest bulk of the deaths, losing 26 officers on assignment.
The statistics did not include several other officers lost after the plaque, including seven officers who were killed by Shabab in cold blood while returning from leave aboard Medina Bus from Nairobi. The attack took place between Wajir and Mandera Counties.
Former Wajir County Commissioner, Lyford Kibara stated that the ill-fated bus was attacked by at least seven militants who targeted non-local passengers.
“There (Al Shabab) aim is to create hostilities among locals and other Kenyan communities,” Kibara said.
Eleven bodies were last night received at the mortuary in Wajir County Referral Hospital.
The seven police officers who lost their lives in the attack were away on leave and returning to resume duty at their station in Rhamu.
The officers who lost their lives in the attack are:
CPL Athanus Kiti of police number 86572
PC Enos Odhiambo of police number 114365
PC Kevin Mandela of police number 116155
PC Wisely Meli of police number 116135
PC Tikane Kasale of police number 114968
PC Francis Mbuvi of police number 109057
The statistics by the CS similarly did also not include ten officers from Harhar GSU camp in Garissa county who died on October 12. when their vehicle ran over improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at Degoh road between Liboi and Damajale, according to police report.
Speaking when unveiling the commemorative monument earlier this month, Matiang’i called for support to police officers “as they literally give their lives to ensure we are peaceful, pursuing our businesses.”
“In civilized democracies, police officers or members of the military are revered, given way in hospitals, airports and other places of public utility. They understand what personal cost the officers put in ensuring we are peaceful,” he added.
The CS also stated that the ministry would establish a charitable trust to cater for the welfare of police officers and their families.
