Chaos erupted in Kisumu’s Central Business District on Monday morning after a dramatic shootout between police officers and a 21-year-old man along Otieno Oyoo Street. The sudden gunfire sent traders scampering for cover and brought business to a standstill.
According to Kisumu Central Deputy Sub-County Police Commandant Bakari Mwanauli, the confrontation began when officers spotted three young men, one of whom was carrying a suspicious bag. When the officers approached, the suspect reportedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire.
“This morning, our officers were on patrol near Patel Samaj Temple when they noticed a man acting suspiciously. Before they could question him, he drew an assault rifle and started shooting,” said Mwanauli.
The gunman is said to have fled into the temple compound, where he allegedly turned on a security guard, robbing him of his phone and personal items before tying him up. Witnesses described a tense scene as the suspect climbed to the rooftop and took cover near a water tank, exchanging fire with the police.
For several minutes, Otieno Oyoo Street turned into a battlefield, with residents, worshippers, and shop owners rushing to safety. The standoff came to an end after a team of specialized officers joined those already on patrol and managed to overpower the suspect.
Police recovered an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of ammunition at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest the weapon may have been used in a string of recent robberies across Kisumu.
The suspect is now being held at Kisumu Central Police Station as detectives work to trace the origin of the firearm and identify his accomplices.
