Suspect Arrested After Shootout with Police in Kisumu CBD

 

By Phanice Rono 

A 21-year-old suspect has been arrested and an AK-47 assault rifle recovered following a dramatic shootout with police in Kisumu city centre early Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred along St. Otieno Oyoo Street, near the Patel Samaj Temple in Kisumu Central Sub-County.

According to Kisumu Central Deputy Sub-County Police Commander Bakari Mwanauli, officers on routine patrol spotted three suspicious men carrying a bulky bag near the temple. When approached, one of the men allegedly drew an assault rifle and opened fire on the officers before fleeing into the temple compound.

“Our officers on patrol saw three men, one of them carrying a bulky bag. When they spotted the officers, he drew a rifle and shot at them. They managed to corner him at the Patel Samaj Temple, where he had robbed a guard and tied him up,” said Mwanauli.

Police say the suspect, identified as Kelvin Oduor, alias “Kevo”, was eventually subdued and arrested after a brief exchange of gunfire from the rooftop, where he had taken cover near a water tank.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, serial number 94883, loaded with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a spent cartridge believed to have been used in a series of recent robberies across the city.

“We conducted a thorough search and recovered an AK-47 rifle, five rounds of ammunition, and one spent cartridge that has been linked to several robberies within Kisumu,” Mwanauli added.

Oduor is currently being held at Kisumu Central Police Station, facing charges of robbery with violence, illegal possession of a firearm, and attempted murder of police officers.

Police have launched a manhunt for the two other suspects who escaped during the operation. Authorities say efforts are now focused on dismantling the wider criminal network and recovering any additional weapons before further crimes are committed.

“He’s in custody at the Kisumu Central Police Station for further interrogation before we take him to court,” said Mwanauli.