Drama unfolded at Kingongo slums in Eldoret when police attempting to arrest a suspected chang’aa brewer were confronted and chased away by a mob. The chaotic scene left two officers injured and forced the police to fire into the air in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse the crowd.
The incident occurred during a Sunday patrol along the Sosiani River bank. Police reported that approximately 40 youths armed with stones and crude weapons surrounded the officers, pelting them with stones to aid in the escape of two arrested suspects. In the chaos, brewing equipment and 60 litres of chang’aa were confiscated, while about 500 litres of kangara were destroyed. However, the main brewer accused of inciting the mob escaped and is now being pursued.
The injured officers sustained soft tissue injuries to their legs and were treated at Huruma Sub-County Hospital before being discharged in stable condition.
Police have raised concerns over an increasing trend of mob interference during arrests and incidents of mob lynching. Authorities have reiterated that such actions are criminal and warned against obstructing justice. They urged communities to report suspects to the police rather than taking matters into their own hands.