Thugs attack, kill Nakuru doctor

A police officer peeps inside the car belonging to Johnston Teiya Okunji, a doctor attached to the Rift-Valley Provincial Hospital in Nakuru who was shot by thugs. [Photo: Boniface Thuku/Standard]

By Mercy Kahenda and Cyrus Ombati

Nakuru, Kenya: Police officers have launched an investigation into the shooting of a medical doctor attached to the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital at Section 58 Estate, Nakuru.

Johnston Teiya Okunji was reportedly driving home on Monday night before two thugs who were riding on a motorcycle accosted him and brutally killed him.

The thugs shot him in the neck and head before escaping with his mobile phone.

Detectives led by Nakuru OCS Bamfort Tsurwa visited the scene of crime yesterday morning and interrogated neighbours who witnessed the shooting at around 8.45pm.

According to Tsurwa, police officers recovered a spent cartridge in the compound. The deceased’s vehicle was towed to Nakuru Central Police Station. “The doctor was shot by thugs as he entered his compound,” said Tsurwa.

The OCS said police are trailing the suspects using the deceased’s mobile phone that was last identified at Rhonda slum before it was switched off.

According to Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union South Rift Chapter vice chairman James Kabiru, the death of Dr Okunji is a great loss to the medical fraternity.

Dr Kabiru described the doctor as a disciplined, responsible and a hardworking individual who went out of his way to ensure patients received best services at the facility.

“It is sad that as the country struggles to have dedicated doctors, criminals are taking their lives away,” said Dr Kabiru.

City robbery

The vice chairman called on security agencies in Nakuru to carry out comprehensive investigations and ensure the killers are arrested and charged.

Elsewhere, a gang attacked a woman and sliced her earlobe as they robbed her of cash and valuables in Buruburu area, Nairobi.

The woman identified as Lilian Mwangi, 23, was walking home at Mutindwa area when she was accosted by three men armed with knives on Monday night.

Police say the same gang had been attacking and mugging pedestrians in the area. They escaped leaving the woman bleeding at the scene and efforts to trace them are ongoing.

 Buruburu OCPD Charles Kerich said they are pursuing several leads on the whereabouts of the attackers.