Tension in Turkana as KDF Soldiers Arrested for Assaulting and Disarming Police Officer

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• There was a confrontation at Lodwar Police Station when Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers demanded the release of four of their detained colleagues who had been arrested for disarming and assaulting a police officer at a roadblock.
• The situation escalated when more KDF soldiers arrived at the station, prompting negotiations to defuse the tense standoff. The four KDF soldiers were detained and may face charges of robbery with violence.

There was a dramatic confrontation at Lodwar Police Station when Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers clashed with police officers over the arrest of four KDF soldiers. 

The KDF soldiers arrived at the station, surrounding it and demanding the release of their colleagues, who had been detained for allegedly disarming and assaulting a police officer manning a roadblock.

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A video captured the scene, showing the four detained KDF soldiers seated outside the station while a senior police officer admonished them for their behavior. 

Turkana Central Sub-County Police Commander Samwel Boit questioned the KDF soldiers, challenging their actions and the way they had been taught.

According to a police report, the four KDF soldiers had disarmed Police Constable Cleophas Makhapila at a roadblock near Turkana University College, slapped him, and forced him to kneel. One of the soldiers then fired shots into the air when Makhapila refused to kneel.

The confrontation began when the KDF soldiers, riding in a water bowser, encountered the roadblock. 

After demanding that the officer move the spikes blocking the road, one soldier slapped Makhapila while another seized his AK47 assault rifle. 

The police officer reported the incident to Commander Boit, leading to a pursuit to track down the KDF soldiers and the water bowser.

When police confronted the soldiers at Moi Garden, one of them resisted arrest by cocking his AK47, causing police to fire shots into the air. 

The soldiers eventually surrendered and were taken to the station, leaving their water bowser behind.

The situation escalated further when more KDF soldiers arrived at the station, trying to compel the police officers to release their detained comrades.

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Sub-County Security Committee officials engaged with KDF commanders to defuse the tense situation.

Upon arriving at the police station, the KDF soldiers surrounded the building, but Lt. D O Okelo eventually instructed his officers to stand down and calm the situation. 

The four detained KDF soldiers, who refused to identify themselves, were booked and detained. They are expected to face charges of robbery with violence.