Isebania: Four shot dead at police station during riots over insecurity

Police officers in Isebania, Migori County on Thursday evening shot dead four people following an invasion at their police post.

It all began when a group of people passed by Isebania Police Station as they escorted the body of one Moses Mwangi from the mortuary ahead of his burial later in the week. Mwangi is said to have died as a result of rising insecurity in the area.

Things took a dark turn when the furious mourners stormed the station demanding answers to the rising insecurity in Isebania.

Armed with stones filled in a pickup and machetes in hand, the violent mourners damaged window panes as they went for the cells to free the detainees.

The officers reportedly opened live fire when they saw they were being overpowered.

"After overrunning the officers running the report office, armoury and cells, the officers defended the station's armoury and prevent the forceful rescue of prisoners in custody and theft of firearms by use of live ammunition," part of the police report stated.

This resulted in the death of four people, which infuriated the rioters.

They engaged the officers in running battles and had to be dispersed using teargas.

One of the police officers sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The bodies were taken to St Akidiva Mindira Mabera Hospital mortuary pending identification.