A police officer who went on a drinking spree and allegedly threatened to shoot and kill members of the public at Mukinyai trading center in Molo has been arrested.
The officer is said to have been drinking and later brandished his gun forcing some members of the public to lie down with threats of killing them.
According to the area chief Paul Kinyanjui, the officer based at the Mukinyai Patrol base was drinking with friends before turning violent and started threatening members of the public.
“The officer has been arrested and is expected in court any time soon once investigations are complete,” the chief told reporters on Thursday.
The chief said that the incident caused fear among locals at the trading center, some running for their lives.
Robert Kemboi, an eyewitness said that the officer while carrying an AK-47 ordered them to lie down saying that they risk being shot if they defied the order.
“We were afraid and had no option but to lie down and hoped he will not kill us,” he said.
The officer was later disarmed by colleagues from the base who had arrived at the scene, who quelled the attempts by angry residents to lynch the officer were futile as more police officers were called to the scene.
The residents now want the government to take action against police officers who drink at the expense of ensuring law and order.
“This shows that we are not safe, how can police officers engage in drinking while criminals roam our villages,” said Isabella Kimutai, a business woman at the trading center.