Police officer killed 'in hit and run' incident

By Peter Ochieng

The family of a police officer based at Amagoro Patrol Base is in mourning, after she was killed by a ‘hit and run’ vehicle at Koteko road block, along the Malaba-Bungoma road in Teso North, Busia County last night.

Police Constable (PC) Nancy Chepchumba was knocked down by the speeding vehicle, after the driver refused to stop.

The vehicle was suspected to be ferrying smuggled goods. The driver allegedly hit the police officer breaking her legs, before ‘reversing to finish her off.’ The vehicle then sped off towards Bungoma from Malaba border.

Chepchumba was rushed to Kocholia Sub County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival, before the body was moved to the Moi and Teaching Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County awaiting postmortem.

Naomi Chepkemei, the deceased’s sister who is married in Amagoro, said the death of her sister is unbelievable, since she was not sick. She said she had just reported on duty, after sometime off duty.

"Nancy had discharged her duties diligently in the area for nearly three years,” she said.

Teso North Sub County Police Commander Joseph Matiku confirmed the incident, adding that they have initiated investigations in a bid to nab the driver of the hit and run vehicle.

Meanwhile, drama ensued at the scene residents reportedly stole the deceased’s android phone and her AK 47 riffle.

Police officers launched immediate search for the stolen riffle, and managed to find it hidden in the nearby bush.

Two months ago, a similar incident was witnessed at the area when a male police officer was hit by another runaway vehicle. He died after undergoing treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

John Ichasi an area residents claims that four police officers have been killed in similar circumstances at the Koteko road block, over the past few years.