A police constable attached to the Special Police Intercept and Verification (SPIV) unit was fatally shot on Tuesday evening in Cravers, Thika West Sub County, during a routine motorcycle inspection that turned deadly.
According to eyewitness Rose Makena, the incident unfolded when the officer, accompanied by three colleagues, stopped a boda boda rider whose motorcycle lacked the official registration code required for genuine operators in Thika town. The code is part of a local initiative aimed at curbing rising cases of crime involving imposters posing as riders.
Tensions escalated when one of the officers removed the motorcycle’s ignition key, prompting a heated exchange. In the ensuing confrontation, the rider allegedly overpowered the constable, drew a firearm, and shot him in the throat.
As the officer collapsed, his colleagues reportedly sought cover, unable to return fire before the assailant fled on foot. The gunman then commandeered another motorcycle near Royale Hotel, forcing the rider and passenger off before speeding away. A loaded magazine was recovered at the scene by crime scene investigators.
The injured officer was rushed to Thika Nursing Home but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Thika Divisional Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) Jacinta Mbaika confirmed the shooting and said detectives had launched a manhunt for the suspect. She noted that a full statement would be issued once preliminary investigations are concluded.
SPIV officers routinely carry out inspections to verify the legitimacy of boda boda operators in the area, following a spate of robberies involving motorcycles.
Written By Rodney Mbua
