Policeman fighting for his life after claims of attack by colleague

By  Vitalis Kimutai

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

A police officer in Bomet is fighting for his life in hospital after a colleague allegedly assaulted him, slamming his head against a wall.

The constable, Vincent Langat, attached to Sigor Police Station in Chepalungu Constituency, Bomet County, is admitted to a hospital in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County.

The officer's family claims he was abandoned at the police quarters for more than 14 hours before his relatives were informed of the incident and asked to pick him up.

Mr Langat was allegedly assaulted on October 30 at around 7pm during the handover and takeover of duties at the station, following a disagreement with a colleague over an issue that is yet to be disclosed.

“At around 10am on Saturday (October 31), family members were called to Sigor Police Station to pick the officer and take him home as he was said to be unwell. He was found in the house writhing in pain and disoriented,” family member Willy Kirui said.

The officer was taken to his home in Mariango village, Kipsorwet, in Chepalungu Constituency, before being rushed to Longisa County Referral Hospital for treatment.

A CT scan revealed head injuries and possible internal bleeding. He was referred to AGC Tenwek Hospital for specialised treatment before being transferred to Top Hill Hospital in Eldoret, where he underwent surgery.

“The patient has undergone head surgery and is responding well to treatment in the ward, where he is under close observation by the medical team,” an administrator at Top Hill Hospital, who declined to be named, told the Nation on Monday.

While in Eldoret, the family reported the matter to Langas Police Station.

Chepalungu sub-County Police Commander Joseph Asugo confirmed the incident and said investigations had begun.

He said preliminary findings indicated that the officer was pushed against a wall at Sigor Police Station following an altercation over a work-related matter.

“The incident has been reported and the matter is currently under investigation. An internal disciplinary process will be taken against the officer alleged to have assaulted his colleague while on duty,” Mr Asugo said.

However, the family has questioned why they were asked to collect the officer instead of him being taken to hospital for treatment, despite having comprehensive medical cover under the Social Health Authority.

They also raised concern that the suspect had not been arrested and was continuing to report to work as usual.

“It was inhumane to leave him in the police quarters for hours after he sustained head injuries before family members were called later to take him home. It points to a lapse in administration and an attempt to cover up the incident,” a family member, who declined to be named, said on Monday following media inquiries.

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