According to police, there was only one injury sustained during the ugly altercation that took place on Saturday between police officers and Kenya Navy soldiers stationed at the Likoni Ferry channel.
Wilson Obege, a private security guard, was hurt during the altercation, according to a report filed at the Likoni Ferry Police Station.
The incident started when the aforementioned KDF soldiers approached the Likoni channel and blocked it with their tactical military land cruiser, according to the report.
The fight that followed started when Obege, the private security guard watching the lock, attempted to ask the KDF soldiers to make room.
Obege turned to the police officers guarding the lock for assistance at this point, and when he tried to reason with the KDF soldiers, they harassed him even more.
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After all, the KDF team was right. Just found out that a security guard wanted them in a queue, and they were headed for a mission across Likoni. I think we condemned them unjustly. pic.twitter.com/tII8MIiYsO
— Abuga Makori EGH, MBE (@abuga_makori) April 28, 2024
As seen in widely shared viral videos, a security guard and a police officer were assaulted.
Kenyans reacted strongly to the incident, and the KDF said in a statement that it would take action against the soldiers who were involved.
A statement released on Saturday night stated, "Militant Police and the necessary investigation agencies are currently handling the matter to establish the circumstances leading to the incident."
"The incident is highly regrettable. As KDF personnel, we are beholden to the core value of professionalism."
Only one week had passed since four KDF soldiers had been taken into custody in Lodwar following a heated altercation with police over the arrest of four of their comrades.
According to reports, the four KDF officers who had been detained earlier for allegedly attacking and disarming a police officer stationed at a roadblock close to Turkana University College were demanding their release when they stormed the Lodwar Police Station.
The KDF officers' ranks pic.twitter.com/vWxHPE29cY
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 21, 2024
The officer reportedly refused to kneel before them, and they slapped him and told him to do so before one of the soldiers fired multiple shots into the air.
The officer was then given the order to pick up his gun at the Loturerei army camp in Kanam Kemer Ward by the soldiers, who were at that moment traveling towards Moi Garden in a water bowser.