NYERI, Kenya, Jun 13 – Suspected Mungiki sect members shot and killed a senior police officer in Othaya on Friday night, police said.
Chief Inspector Nzau who was the divisional CID chief of Othaya in Nyeri was shot dead as he walked home shortly after midnight.
Police blamed suspected members of the banned sect for his murder and said they had clues on his killers.
“Detectives are tracking them down, there are clues on the perpetrators and they will have to face the law,” deputy Police Spokesman Charles Wahong’o told Capital News.
“He was attacked as he was walking home,” he said. “He had been dropped by a motor cyclist but was attacked as he approached his home.”
Mr Wahong’o said the officer was also robbed off his pistol, a police communication gadget, money and a mobile phone.
“We will find them. They are now operating with impunity and even attacking state security agents,” he added.
He described the slain officer as a “hardworking man who was dedicated to his work. It is a big loss to the force.”
Another senior officer in Nyeri said they suspect the officer was a target of Mungiki because he has been investigating various high-profile cases touching on Mungiki activities.
“His killers must have laid in wait for him for a long time, they must have been patient enough and knew well the time he comes home,” the officer said and declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Mr Wahong’o told Capital News that officers in the region were instructions to crack down on all criminals and suspected Mungiki sect members.
“An operation is currently going on and no one will be spared. We will not stop working because of criticisms by politicians who are promoting the culture of impunity amongst locals and particularly Mungiki members,” he said.
He cited growing criticisms by some local politicians who publicly condemn the police for “being too hard on the Mungiki members.”
“Some politicians are now sympathising with Mungiki instead of supporting us to protect the people from these organised gangs,” he said.
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