Officers from the Kenya Prisons Service engaged in a brawl with their counterparts from the National Police Service in Ogembo, Gucha Sub-County in Kisii County on Saturday, July 4.
The prison officers were part of a convoy that left Nairobi headed to Kisii for the burial of one of their colleagues identified as Wilfred Onywoki.
The convoy was stopped by a team led by Gucha Sub-County Commander Nicholas Ngomo who questioned the officers’ compliance with various regulations meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
An argument then ensued between the prison officers and the police before the situation degenerated into fistfights.
As the prison officers outnumbered the Administration Police (AP) officers, they soon overpowered them and sent some of the police officers scampering for safety.
Ngomo was forced to withdraw his team to prevent further chaos as the incensed prison officers vowed to attend their colleague’s funeral service.
Among issues the police team had questioned was the lack of face-masks, lack of requisite travel approvals and failure to observe social distance.
A report filed on the incident at Ogembo Police Station indicated that in response, the prison officers kept telling their AP counterparts that they were also officers.
“Upon intervention by Gucha Sub-County police commander, the prison officers had flouted the Covid-19 measures as they were not wearing face masks, as well as no social distance was being adhered to.
“Our colleagues from prison turned unruly shouting to the Sub-County Commander stating that they are also officers and will not adhere to orders,” the statement read in part.
The government had in April shared directives to be adhered to by those wishing to attend burials in areas outside the counties under lock-down such as Nairobi and Mombasa.
One must obtain a signed and stamped letter from the area OCS and Chief. They must also present the original burial permit.
