A police car in a past crime scene. [Photo/Standard]
Police in Nakuru have commenced investigation into an incident in which an Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) police officer based at Suswa camp in Waseges Subukia shot dead his 26-year-old wife and daughter aged 5 in a bizarre incident at 3.00am on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, Subukia OCPD Alex Ng’ang’a said Constable Cosmas Biwott aged 24 used a colleague’s firearm to commit the crime before fleeing.
"He left the firearm behind in his house after firing more than ten bullets. We have now launched investigations as well as manhunt for the officer,” said the OCPD.
Jane Njoki, 26, and her daughter Shantel Nyambura were shot dead inside their house.
The constable who committed the act is said to have been in the service for less than two years and that he has been constantly engaged in quarrels with his wife with whom they have lived together for only seven months.
Njoki’s mother Mrs. Wambui Nderitu said her daughter had at one time separated with the officer before she went back.
She said that Njoki operated a bar at the nearby Suswa trading centre.
John Nderitu, a brother to the late Njoki, said that he woke up after hearing gun shots only to be told that it was his sister that had been killed.
Family members, journalists and locals were not allowed into the heavily guarded camp and were instead referred to Subukia OCPD.
Waseges MCA Kiriethe Ndigirigi said officers should not be allowed to go home with rifles.
“I think there is need to ensure firearms are kept in safe custody in the armory. Allowing officers to have guns in their houses was risky,” he said.
The ASTU camp has more than 20 police officers who were deployed in the area following rampant cases of cattle theft.
The two bodies were moved to Nyahururu referral hospital morgue.