DCI search for mourner who snatched gun from Governor's guard at Raila's funeral
A Kenya Police officer on horseback attempts to control a crowd of mourners and supporters of Kenya’s opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as they line up to view his coffin upon the arrival of his funeral procession to his home region in Kisumu, on October 18, 2025. Photo: LUIS TATO / AFP
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According to a police report filed at Bondo Police Station, the incident occurred at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, when Constable Benson Kodia Olayo, a GSU officer attached to the VIP Protection Unit for Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, was snatched.
Olayo reported that while escorting the Governor from the funeral venue at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), a group of rowdy youth swarmed the Governor’s vehicle at the main gate.
In the event, one individual reportedly snatched Olayo’s pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. The suspect fled into the crowd, making immediate recovery efforts impossible.
Police say that the area was densely packed with mourners and onlookers, complicating attempts to apprehend the suspect. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Bondo has taken over the case, and efforts to trace and recover the stolen firearm are currently underway.
Security agencies are urging the public to remain calm and report any information that may assist in the recovery of the weapon.
The incident has raised concerns over VIP protection protocols during high-profile public events.
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