Two assistant chiefs held at gunpoint by escapee

The suspect threatened to shoot the two administrators. [iStockphoto]

Two assistant chiefs have called on police to arrest a man who stormed a police post in Giakaibei in Mathira East, Nyeri County, and threatened to shoot on Utamaduni day last week.

Locals narrated to The Standard how the suspect, Alex Ngara Murimi alias Mugonjwa, 43, who has been on police radar for five years, walked into Giakaibei police post in a rage.

He forced the two assistant chiefs out of the Police Post by threatening to shoot them if they didn't budge.

The two National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) William Wachira (Asst Chief Giakaibei Sub location) and Paul K Njeru (Asst Chief Ndumanu Sub location) in Magutu Location, Mathira East, left to avoid confrontation with the suspect.

The administrators had earlier apprehended a waiter from Kumbukumbu Bar owned by Murimi, after the waiter was found selling beer outside the stipulated time.

After the bar owner heard that his waiter had been arrested by the two chiefs and three police officers, he followed them in his car up to the Giakaibei police post.

He parked his vehicle in front of the police post and threatened to shoot the two administrators.

After he realized the police officers were working with the administrators, the bar owner abandoned his mission and escaped from the post.

The Standard learnt that the two assistant chiefs reported and recorded statements on the incident the same day (October 10).

On October 14 the suspect was spotted at Giakaibei Trading Centre but again managed to escape when the police officers from Karatina Police Station arrived at the Centre.

Nyeri County Police Commander Benjamin Rotich said the suspect's arrest was long overdue. "The suspect will be arrested and severely punished," Rotich said.

Mathira East Deputy County Commissioner David Wanyonyi confirmed the incident and vowed to collaborate with his counterparts in police service to address the situation.