Police Recover AK-47 Rifle After Dramatic Shootout in Kisumu CBD
They discovered that the suspect was attempting to break into a residential compound with the intent to conduct a robbery.
He will be appearing in court shortly, according to police. Photo/courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Police officers from Kisumu Central sub-county apprehended a 21-year-old male, who is believed to be a member of an armed robbery gang, following a high-profile early morning shootout in the city’s central business district. The officers were successful in recovering an AK-47 gun filled with ammunition during the operation.
According to Kisumu Central Deputy Police Commander Bakari Mwanauli, the shooting occurred after police received the report of shots fired and acted quickly to get to the scene. They discovered that the suspect was attempting to break into a residential compound with the intent to conduct a robbery.
The suspect, Kevo Oduor, also known as Kelvin, is said to have opened fire on the arriving officers, and this was preceded by a fierce shootout. Fortunately, there were no officers who were hurt during the shootout. According to the police, Oduor is said to have overpowered a night guard in the compound prior to the arrival of the police, gagged him, and snatched his mobile phone as he prepared for the robbery.
Mwanauli explained the suspect fled once he realized that the officers had sealed off the area. He sprinted to a nearby compound and made it to the roof of the Patel Sarmaj building. In his second attempt at escape, he sought refuge in one of the water tanks in the ceiling. Police officers, who operated fast and tactically, were able to flush him out of the hiding place after thoroughly searching the area.
A systematic sweep of the area led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle with serial number 94883, which had a magazine containing multiple rounds of ammunition. A spent cartridge was also discovered by investigators, which was assumed to have been discharged during the shootout.
Deputy Police Commander Mwanauli praised the officers for their quick action, saying their vigilance saved the city centre from what could have been a big offense. He further said the arrest is a proof of the National Police Service’s continued commitment to provide law and order, especially since cases of armed robbery had been on the rise in some urban centres.
The suspect is already in custody at Kisumu Central Police Station and will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is complete. He will be appearing in court shortly, according to police. The government is also seeking to determine the source of the gun and whether the suspect has any link to other robbery cases reported in the region in recent times.
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