A middle-aged man is nursing gunshot injuries at Siaya County Referral Hospital after being shot in the thigh by a police officer after he attacked one of them with a panga.

35-year-old rape suspect Isaiah Otieno, alias Otiti, was shot in the thigh after hitting officer Chacha Mwita on the head with a panga.

PHOTO | COURTESY police car

According to Siaya County Police Commander Mr. Cleti Kimaiyo, the injured officer, together with his two colleagues, Wesley Tonui and Samdon Mandere, went to arrest the suspect at Rachuonyo village within Nyamila Sub-location because he had been linked to a rape case filed at Kowet Police Station.

Mr. Kimaiyo added that the policemen introduced themselves and demanded the suspect open the door and surrender. The suspect appeared armed with a panga and assaulted the police constable positioned at the door.

PHOTO | COURTESY police line

The police chief added that the suspect hacked the officer on the head before attempting to flee, causing the officer to fire one round of ammunition from his AK-47 rifle in self-defense to keep him from fleeing.

Mr. Kimaiyo claimed that the suspect was overwhelmed by other police officers before being taken to Siaya County Referral Hospital.