Editor's Review

Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with an attack on Emakale Police Post in Kakamega County, where public documents and personal property belonging to an officer were destroyed.

Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with an attack on Emakale Police Post in Matungu, Kakamega County, where public documents and personal property belonging to an officer were destroyed. 

In a statement on Tuesday, September 9, the National Police Service (NPS) said the arrests were made following an operation led by Officer in Charge of the Station (OCS) for Matungu Police Station. 

"Following the recent attack on the Emakale Police Post in Matungu Sub-County, Kakamega County, during which public documents and personal property belonging to an officer were destroyed, police have intensified their investigations. 

"Today, 9th September 2025, a joint operation led by the Officer in Charge of the Station (OCS) for Matungu Police Station, in collaboration with DCI officers, resulted in the arrest of ten suspects linked to the incident," the statement read.

File image of a police vehicle

In the wake of the incident, NPS has issued a warning against attacks on police facilities and personnel, saying such actions would attract serious consequences.

"The National Police Service sternly warns that any acts of violence, destruction of police property, or interference with officers on duty will not be tolerated. Such crimes will be met with swift action, and suspects will face the full force of the law," the statement added.

The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court.

This comes months after eight individuals accused of orchestrating the arson attack on Mawego Police Station were on arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts, facing terrorism and criminal charges. 

The suspects, Kennedy Oluoch Oluoch, Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi Opiyo, David Bill Clinton Otieno, Robert Ouko Abala, Samuel Ouma Odhiambo, and Erick Obunga Osumba, had earlier been detained under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said they were rearrested and transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi for arraignment.

"They were re-arrested on July 14, 2025, following closure of the miscellaneous application, and subsequently transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi, for arraignment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, along with additional offences under the Penal Code," the statement read.

In court, the suspects faced three counts: commission of a terrorist act, arson, and malicious damage to property.

"All the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution opposed the granting of bond, an application that was contested by the defence," the statement added.