Three people have died and two others sustained injuries after police officers opened fire while attempting to prevent a crowd from taking a murder suspect from their custody in Narok.
The incident happened on August 15, 2026, in Mogoto village, Sagamian Location, Narok Amalo Sub-County, after police officers and the area chief responded to reports of a murder.
When the team arrived, they found villagers had apprehended a suspect believed to be connected to the killing and were subjecting him to mob justice.
The officers intervened, rescued the suspect and placed him under arrest. However, as they prepared to leave the area, police said the crowd confronted them and began throwing stones at the officers.
According to police and witnesses, the officers initially fired several shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd and protect the suspect. The warning shots, however, failed to stop the confrontation.
Police said some of the bullets subsequently hit members of the crowd, killing three people and injuring two others.
The escalating confrontation forced the officers to make a tactical withdrawal from the village as they sought to secure themselves and the suspect.
One of the officers lost a magazine from his Jericho pistol during the incident. Police said the magazine contained seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The officer sustained injuries to both hands and his legs after being struck by stones. He was taken for treatment and later discharged in fair condition. Another officer was hit by a stone on his left eye and was also reported to be in fair condition.
Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntuntu visited the scene and condemned the incident, urging residents to allow suspects to remain in lawful custody.
“This is a crime for the public to try to rescue arrested people. Unfortunately, we have lost three people. We advise against such incidents,” he said.
The three bodies were taken to the mortuary, while the two injured people were receiving treatment in hospital, according to police.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the dangers of mob confrontations and attempts by members of the public to interfere with the lawful arrest and detention of suspects.
