A woman suffered a gunshot wound during a police raid on a shisha joint in Dunga, Kisumu County. She received treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital after being shot under unclear circumstances.
Witnesses reported that the police, enforcing the operation, shot the woman when chaos erupted as patrons tried to resist the raid. Officers stormed Atella, a popular spot by Lake Victoria, around 8 PM on Sunday, arresting those smoking shisha.
As tensions rose, officers fired shots and deployed tear gas, leading to more disorder. The injured woman was quickly transported to the hospital on a motorcycle as officers retreated.
Officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) visited the victim and took her statement. Kisumu County Police Commander Hillary Toroitich confirmed that an investigation is underway.
Four police officers sustained injuries, and two government vehicles were damaged during the altercation, which occurred as revellers resisted a multi-agency operation targeting unlicensed bars and drug use at Atella Beach Resort.
This operation involved the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, Border Patrol Unit, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and Kisumu County Liquor Licensing Team. The team aimed to ensure compliance with liquor licensing and drug control regulations but faced resistance from some patrons.
Revellers reportedly threw stones, and some armed with clubs chased officers away. In response, police used tear gas and fired blank cartridges while withdrawing from the scene.
Despite the chaos, officers successfully recovered eight shisha pots. The injured officers were taken to Inuka Hospital for treatment, and detectives from DCI Kisumu Central are investigating the incident and working to identify those who attacked the officers. Meanwhile, Ipoa is also looking into the situation.
