Security forces in Vihiga County have started a manhunt after suspects carried out a Vihiga assembly attack early this morning. One police officer got hurt, and the attackers ran off with his gun. The incident took place at the county assembly premises in western Kenya. Vihiga County Commissioner Peter Maina confirmed what happened. He said it unfolded in the dark hours before dawn.
The attack started around 2 a.m. Two officers were on guard duty. One noticed his partner was gone. He searched and found the man on the ground, bleeding from wounds.
The injured officer had been hit hard, likely with blunt objects. His firearm, a standard-issue rifle, was missing. The suspects vanished into the night before help arrived. The hurt officer was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors say he is stable but needs time to recover.
Police think the attackers planned it. They came in quietly and struck fast. No one knows how many were involved yet. Maybe two or three, based on early reports. The assembly building itself did not get damaged much.
But the raid raises questions about safety at government spots. Vihiga County Assembly handles local laws and budgets. It sits in Mbale town, the county headquarters. The area sees some crime, but attacks on police like this stand out.
The county commissioner spoke to reporters today. He said teams from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are on the case. They comb the scene for clues like footprints or dropped items. Roadblocks went up around the county.
Officers check cars and question people. Maina urged locals to share tips. He promised quick arrests. The stolen gun worries everyone. It could end up in the wrong hands for more crimes.
This is not the first time guns have been taken from police in Kenya. Last October, three rifles went missing in two separate hits on officers. One happened in Nairobi, another up north.
Back in April 2024, detectives shot a suspect and got back a pistol stolen from the Vihiga police station boss. These cases show a pattern. Criminals target weapons to arm themselves. It puts more pressure on law enforcement.
Vihiga County lies in the former Western Province. It borders Kakamega and Kisumu. About 600,000 people live there. Farming drives the economy, with tea and maize common.
But poverty and job shortages push some to crime. Gangs operate in parts, stealing or robbing. The assembly has faced issues before. Protests over bills turn rough sometimes. But direct attacks on guards are rare.
Local leaders reacted fast. County Governor Wilber Ottichilo called it shocking. He visited the hurt officer at Vihiga County Referral Hospital. Ottichilo said the assembly will boost security. More lights and cameras might come. He asked for calm while police worked. Members of the county assembly met today. They talked about the risk to staff. One MCA said it could tie to land disputes nearby.
Residents feel uneasy. A shop owner in Mbale told a local radio he locks up early now. Others worry about night safety. Social media fills with posts. One user on X shared the news from TV 47, calling for better police gear. Another asked why guards work alone at night.
National police joined the hunt. They sent extra teams from Nairobi. The Inspector General promised full support. He said stolen firearms top their list. Recovering the gun is key. They track serial numbers and check black markets.
No arrests so far. But tips come in. One lead points to a group from a nearby slum. Police raid homes quietly. They avoid details to not tip off suspects.
This attack highlights bigger problems. Kenya fights rising crime in rural spots. Gangs grow bold. Officers need better training and tools. The government pushed for community policing last year. It helps locals spot threats early.
For now, the manhunt goes on. Roads stay watched. The injured officer recovers. His family stays by his side. Commissioner Maina said updates will come soon. He hopes for quick justice.