The officers had gone to arrest a suspect trading in firearms and ammunition when a group of sympathisers numbering about 20 attacked them helping the suspect to escape.
West Pokot county police boss Jackson Tumwet condemned the attack, saying the officers were acting on a tip off from their Baringo counterparts to pursue the suspect.
He said the officers received intelligence reports that there was a suspected illegal fire arm and ammunition dealer from Baringo East in the area.
“They went to arrest him, assisted by police officers and police reservists, but the suspect resisted as his sympathisers started hurling stones and beating the officers. Three officers were slightly injured and the suspect escaped on a lorry towards Baringo East,” he said.
The injured officers were taken to Sigor Sub-County hospital where they were treated and discharged.
“The man has been on the DCI radar and is believed to have been selling ammunition for years. He was either coming to sell or to buy the ammunition,” he said.
He said police officers have launched a manhunt for the suspects trading in illegal ammunition within the county.
Pokot Central deputy County Commissioner Mr Were Simiyuh warned the public against sympathising with criminals responsible for insecurity in the region.
He said the suspect is a criminal being sought by security officers and warned those who helped him escape that they will also be arrested.
“A criminal is a criminal, we don’t have categories of criminals. The people who aided him to escape will also be arrested and be brought to book. We cannot relent or entertain the public taking law into their hands,” he said.
