Panic gripped Kisumu City on Monday morning after a young man armed with an AK-47 rifle opened fire on police officers along Otieno Oyoo Street.
The incident, which happened near Patel Samaj Temple, caused traders to shut their shops and residents to flee for safety as gunshots rang through the air.
According to Kisumu Central Deputy Police Commander Bakari Mwanauli, officers on patrol had spotted three suspicious young men carrying a large bag.
When they approached them for questioning, one of the suspects suddenly drew an assault rifle and started shooting.
“The officers were on their normal patrol when they noticed the men behaving suspiciously. One of them pulled out a rifle and opened fire at the officers,” Mwanauli said.
In the chaos that followed, the gunman is said to have run into the temple compound, where he allegedly tied up a security guard after robbing him of his phone and valuables.
He then climbed onto the rooftop, from where he continued firing at the officers.
Police quickly sealed off the area and called for reinforcement. A special response unit joined the operation and managed to corner the suspect after a tense standoff that lasted nearly 30 minutes.
He was eventually arrested and identified as 21-year-old Kevin Oduor, also known as Kevo.
Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of ammunition from the scene. Investigators believe the same weapon has been used in several recent robberies across Kisumu.
Oduor was taken to Kisumu Central Police Station for interrogation, while a search for his two accomplices who escaped is ongoing.
A witness who operates a shop nearby said, “We were terrified. Everyone was running, and we didn’t know where the shots were coming from. It felt like a war zone.”
Police assured residents that the situation was under control and urged the public to cooperate by sharing any information that could help track down the remaining suspects.
Meanwhile, in a separate police operation over the weekend, four men were arrested in connection with the theft of a police officer’s firearm during the burial of the late Raila Odinga at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University.
The suspects were traced to Mbeme in Kisumu East and are helping police with investigations.
The city has witnessed increased security patrols following a rise in criminal incidents targeting police and civilians alike.
According to Kisumu Central Deputy Police Commander Bakari Mwanauli, officers on patrol had spotted three suspicious young men carrying a large bag.
When they approached them for questioning, one of the suspects suddenly drew an assault rifle and started shooting.
“The officers were on their normal patrol when they noticed the men behaving suspiciously. One of them pulled out a rifle and opened fire at the officers,” Mwanauli said.
In the chaos that followed, the gunman is said to have run into the temple compound, where he allegedly tied up a security guard after robbing him of his phone and valuables.
He then climbed onto the rooftop, from where he continued firing at the officers.
Police quickly sealed off the area and called for reinforcement. A special response unit joined the operation and managed to corner the suspect after a tense standoff that lasted nearly 30 minutes.
He was eventually arrested and identified as 21-year-old Kevin Oduor, also known as Kevo.
Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of ammunition from the scene. Investigators believe the same weapon has been used in several recent robberies across Kisumu.
Oduor was taken to Kisumu Central Police Station for interrogation, while a search for his two accomplices who escaped is ongoing.
A witness who operates a shop nearby said, “We were terrified. Everyone was running, and we didn’t know where the shots were coming from. It felt like a war zone.”
Police assured residents that the situation was under control and urged the public to cooperate by sharing any information that could help track down the remaining suspects.
Meanwhile, in a separate police operation over the weekend, four men were arrested in connection with the theft of a police officer’s firearm during the burial of the late Raila Odinga at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University.
The suspects were traced to Mbeme in Kisumu East and are helping police with investigations.
The city has witnessed increased security patrols following a rise in criminal incidents targeting police and civilians alike.
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