A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier was arrested on Saturday April 27, 2024 in Rabai, Kilifi County for allegedly assaulting police officers and helping a suspect escape from custody.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Bondora Police Post, in Rabai Sub County.

“The said KDF soldier assaulted police officer William Omondi by twisting his right hand at the wrist joint and punching him at the chest with his fist.

“They further broke the steel door and window pane to the report office letting the suspect to escape from there in.

“They turned to the complainant of the assault case who was also present, strangled and beat him at the report office,” read part of the police report.

However, other officers responded and managed to arrest the duo and locked them in cells.

The incident was reported by the OCS of Kambe Ribe police station chief inspector Christine Madiah.

She explained in a statement that while her officers had gone to Magao area within Bondora police post, about 3 kilometers South of the Police Post, when they were assaulted by a KDF soldier, identified as George Lenga.

She explained that the officers were assaulted after arresting a suspect namely Tyson Shabaki accused of an assault case.

This was after the family had agreed to avail the suspect at the post at 09.09 hours, which they did.

While at the police post, George Lenga, a KDF soldier who is a cousin to the suspect together with his uncle namely Edwin Lenga who works at Coast water development authority obstructed police officers at the post from placing the said suspect in the cells.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Rabai office visited the scene and launched investigations into the case.

A similar incident was reported in Mombasa on April 27, when Kenya Navy officers assaulted police officers and a private security guard.

“A military tactical land cruiser approached from town and blocked the exit lane and  Navy officers jumped out of the vehicle and started assaulting the security guard who sort for assistance from the police who were providing security at the lock up.

“Police officers tried to intervene but they were also assaulted. Police officers Emmanuel Chigunda, and Anwar Hassan and one security guard by the name Wilson Obege sustained injuries as a result of the attack,” police noted in a report.

The injured officers were rushed to hospital for treatment, as investigations continue.