On Saturday, police arrested at least 47 suspects after a mob attacked and vandalized the Macalder Police Station in Migori County.
The operation involved numerous mobilized police officers in the Copper Hill, Osiri Junction, and Matanda areas, with authorities actively pursuing additional suspects connected to the incident.
The detained suspects will undergo questioning to identify those involved in the assault on the police station and the destruction of vehicles.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo condemned the attack, stating, “What happened was wrong and should never happen again. We condemn it and will seek justice.”
Chaos erupted in parts of Nyatike Subcounty on Friday when a peaceful protest against a robbery escalated into violence, resulting in injuries to at least 22 police officers and significant property damage at the Macalder Police Station.
The protest, which began around 9 a.m., aimed to address a rising crime rate in the area. However, it turned chaotic when a group of unruly youths stormed the police station and the office of the Deputy County Commissioner.
Residents expressed their anger following the violent robbery and murder of an M-Pesa agent, Peter Onyango, on the night of March 12. This incident galvanized the community to demand justice for the victim.
Although police initially dispersed the crowd, protesters regrouped and breached the police station compound, leading to extensive vandalism and arson.
Significant damage occurred, including the complete destruction of a Toyota Land Cruiser and severe damage to a Ford Ranger belonging to the station, as well as an excavator held as an exhibit. A JCB 3DX also suffered vandalism.
The mob targeted several offices within the station, including the report office and the offices of the Officer Commanding Station and the Sub-County Police Commander. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations exhibit store also sustained damage.
In the violence, six homes belonging to police officers were reduced to ashes, leaving those families with nothing to salvage. Authorities reported that 22 officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, and while several members of the public may have been injured, the exact number remains unclear.
In response to the unrest, security in the area has been reinforced as investigations continue. Police are actively pursuing suspects linked to the destruction of government property.
The murder of M-Pesa agent Peter Onyango on March 12, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., triggered the unrest. During the robbery, two armed men entered the shop, brandishing an AK-47 assault rifle and demanding money. They fired three shots, fatally injuring Onyango, who later succumbed to his injuries en route to Migori County Referral Hospital.
Police recovered a spent 7.92 mm special cartridge and a yellow helmet believed to have been left by the assailants, who fled the scene on an unregistered motorcycle. The victim’s body has been moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
