Chaos after DCI officer shoots two dead in Makongeni Thika

A tragic incident in Thika Sunday morning left two people dead, a car torched and a police officer in custody after a violent confrontation that started with a minor road accident.

The drama unfolded at about 5:50am near Makongeni, when a bodaboda rider ferrying a pillion passenger towards Kisii collided with a black Audi driven by a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer. Though the crash caused only slight injuries, witnesses say the officer, who appeared drunk and armed, quickly turned rowdy.

Traffic officers rushed to the scene, barely 150 metres from Makongeni Police Station and attempted to calm the situation. But in the ensuing commotion, the officer resisted efforts to disarm him.

Tensions spiraled out of control when he opened fire, fatally shooting two young men aged 38 and 39, both of whom were well-known bodaboda operators in the area.

Word of the shooting spread fast, drawing in crowds of irate riders and residents. As officers tried to secure the suspect, tempers flared.

The mob set the officer’s Audi ablaze, torching and vandalising it as outrage boiled over.

Reinforcements led by the Makongeni police boss, supported by bodaboda leaders, managed to restore order. The DCI officer was eventually overpowered, disarmed and escorted under tight security to Thika Police Station. His firearm was booked as an exhibit.

The bodies of the two victims were moved to General Kago Mortuary, while the charred remains of the vehicle were detained at Makongeni Police Station for further investigations.

The shocking incident has left the Makongeni community reeling with anger and grief, as questions mount over how a serving officer allegedly under the influence of alcohol could cause such bloodshed.