Two arrested after bodyguard’s pistol stolen during political clashes in Bungoma

Two individuals have been apprehended following a violent clash between rival political factions during a burial ceremony in Bumula, Bungoma County. The incident took place on November 13, around 4pm, at Khelelа Primary School, where the body of late James Otunguli was laid to rest. The firearm at the center of the incident was a Ceska pistol, loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, belonging to a prison officer who served as the bodyguard for former Bumula Member of Parliament Mwambu Mabonga. The officer had accompanied Mabonga to the burial when the confrontation erupted.

According to police reports, a group of young men assaulted the prison officer during the chaos, taking full advantage of the commotion to steal his firearm. As Mabonga's convoy tried to escape the scene, members of the opposing faction reportedly attacked the vehicles with stones, causing significant damage. Four vehicles were targeted, including two Toyota Land Cruisers, a Mitsubishi Mirage, and a Toyota Vitz, which suffered damage to their bumpers, doors, and windscreens, with some sustaining dents and broken glass.

The injured officer was promptly taken to Hopkins Hospital for treatment of his injuries sustained during the assault. Police efforts to recover the stolen firearm and ammunition, as well as locate other suspects involved in the incident, are ongoing. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the clashes and theft of the firearm are also underway.