Slap On Cheek To Gunshot- How KDF Vs Police Fight In Turkana Unfolded

UPDATE: The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has issued a statement denying allegations that a section of its officers assaulted police officers based in Lodwar, Turkana County, expressing its displeasure and noted that a joint investigation to establish the facts of the incident are ongoing.

"Our attention has been drawn to videos, photos, and texts circulating on both mainstream and social media on the arrest of KDF soldiers at a Lodwar Police station yesterday, Wednesday 17 April 2024. The orchestration of the detainment is demeaning in context, intended to embarrass, humiliate, and create alarm. The incident, though localized and occurring at a tactical level, is of great concern to the entire KDF fraternity. It also degrades the complementary spirit in Multi-Agency environments, and operations.

"Notably, it has so far been established that; KDF soldiers NEITHER, "assaulted" police officers NOR, "stormed" the station as alleged. Joint investigations by the relevant competent authorities to further establish facts on this unfortunate incident are ongoing and the outcome will inform the next course of action," KDF stated, hailing the officers concerned for showing professionalism and restraint.

Police officers attached to Lodwar Police Station in Turkana County uncovered details surrounding a heated confrontation between police and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel which began as a slap on the cheek only to manifest into a gunfire and dramatic standoff at a police station.

The incident drew nationwide attention on Wednesday, April 17 when videos surfaced showing police officers ordering four KDF officers to sit outside the station. Moments later, KDF troops stormed the station and demanded the release of their officers.

According to a follow-up police report seen by Viral Tea, a police constable who was deployed on day roadblock duties at Mt Kenya in line with the duty roster together with his colleagues encountered a KDF water bowser, though there was a delay in removing the erected spikes at the roadblock when the vehicle was approaching.

The water bowser's driver alighted and slapped the constable on his right cheek, with another officer stepping out through the passenger door armed with his AK-47 assault rifle.

Image of a KDF water bowser. /KENYA DEFENCE FORCES

"He uttered the words "sisi tumeua alshabaab wengi, naweza kumaliza wewe sai (we have killed several Al Shabaab, we can kill you too)"," read the report in part.

The officer ordered another constable to go on his knees but he refused, a matter which escalated when the KDF office fired four rounds just adjacent to where the first constable was standing.

He then told the constable that he would collect his rifle at one of their camps before the KDF officers left towards Lodwar town, afterwhich the constable raised the matter with Turkana Central Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Samuel Boit who ordered an operation to track down the water bowser.

"Immediately sector one, based in Lodwar town reported that they had seen it heading towards the Moi Garden within Lodwar town where they usually collect their water. The SCPC Turkana central Samuel Boit in the company of officers drawn from Lodwar Police station proceeded to Moi Garden to ascertain what really transpired," added the report.

The officers encountered three KDF officers seated in a shade, with the driver of the water bowser inside the vehicle.

When the police ordered them to surrender, the driver cocked his rifle which prompted the officers to shoot in the air and force the driver out of the vehicle, leaving his rifle inside.

Police recovered two AK-47 rifles inside the cabin of the water bowser bearing 29 and 26 rounds of ammunition respectively, with the KDF officers requested to drive the bowser to the station to establish what transpired.

"Their commander who was wearing a badge of sergeant said that they were not going anywhere. This prompted officers to effect arrest and escort them to Lodwar Police Station for further necessary action.

"The driver of the water bowser refused to hand over the ignition keys and it was left at Moi Garden where they had parked," added the report.

However, a section of KDF officers stormed Lodwar Police Station, with the SCPC moving to calm the situation, informing Lieutenant Okelo to calm his troops and return to the vehicle they had arrived in.

According to the report, the scenario raised tension as all court proceedings stopped since members of the public were eager to witness.

The four KDF officers who were arrested remained at the station but failed to provide their identities. They were booked as unknowns and placed in custody.

They will be charged with the offence of robbery with violence.