Police identify trigger-happy officer who killed 7 in Kapenguria

A police officer who turned violent and killed seven people in Kapenguria has been identified as Abdi Hakim Maslah.

The officer, attached to Kapenguria Police Station, allegedly wanted to release a terror suspect arrested in Nakwijit, North Pokot, on Wednesday. The suspect was said to have been recruiting youths on behalf of Al Shabaab.

Police had claimed a terror suspect had snatched a gun and killed officers.

But details later emerged that a police constable attached to the station attacked the station in an effort to rescue the suspected Al Shabaab member, who is a teacher.

The officer was reportedly angry with his bosses after he was allegedly reassigned duties and had contemplated resigning after his request for a transfer was rejected.

Sources revealed that the terror suspect, Omar Eumond, was still in the cells during a gun fight that ensued between police officers and Mr Abdi. Officers who visited the scene after the incident confirmed that the slain assailant was one of their own.

"Everybody thought the gunman was among the militia as speculated but on seeing his body, we could not believe that he was one of our own," said an officer.

The officers said reports that a gunman had entered the station and snatched a gun from another officer were false as Abdi was on duty on Wednesday.

A Recce squad officer was killed in the gun fight while his colleague sustained injuries. West Pokot residents who had been following the operation celebrated on hearing that the gunman had been killed.

Police said all the suspects being held in the cells, including 14 students of Chewoyet Secondary School, were safe.