A junior
police officer shot and seriously wounded himself as he carried out safety
precautions on his pistol at the General Service Unit Magadi Training Camp,
Kajiado County.
The police constable is among a group undergoing various refresher courses at the camp.
He was
found bleeding from his left thigh with a serious bullet wound in the camp in
Kamukuru area.
Other police officers at the camp had heard screams and a gunshot before rushing to the scene.
He told his colleagues he was carrying out safety precautions and clearing his Jericho pistol, which was loaded with 14 bullets when he accidentally shot himself.
One spent cartridge was recovered at the scene together with the pistol after the Tuesday December 17 incident.
The victim was rushed to Magadi Hospital for medical treatment where his seniors said he was in a stable condition.
Such incidents are common among police officers whenever they conduct safety precautions.
Officials say the officers are always trained on how to carry out the precautions safely.
Meanwhile, police recovered three AK47 rifles, five magazines and 120 rounds of ammunition in an operation in Manyatta Daba/Segel area, Marsabit County.
The team was acting on intelligence the weapons were hidden in a homestead for a mission when they staged the operation on Tuesday.
Three suspects were arrested in the operation in connection with the recovery of the weapons, police said.
The police said they are investigating to establish if the weapons had been used in any other crime in the area.
Such weapons are usually used in committing crimes and especially cattle rustling.
A major operation is ongoing in the area to address the menace.
In the neighbouring Kangeta area, Meru County, gunmen raided a village and stole 64 heads of cattle.
The bandits drove the animals from Rikau area to an unknown destination as police response teams also rushed there.
Police said they are pursuing the gang behind the incident with the aim of recovering the animals.
The government has mounted operations to tame the practice in six major counties where it is common.
At least 172 illegal firearms have been recovered in ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has also seen a significant drop in cattle rustling cases, the ministry of Interior said Wednesday.
“The operation has led to a 62 per cent reduction in the number of cattle rustling occurrences, with cases dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668—a decline of 39,386 heads of cattle.”
“Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop-up exercises and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” a statement said.
During the same period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were arrested and prosecuted.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government
security initiative that targeted escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and
violence
in nine counties.
They include Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West
Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spot areas in these counties were designated as 'Disturbed' and 'Dangerous”.
The operation brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a coordinated effort to restore peace and stability in the region.
