Tension gripped Anglican Church of Kenya in Kilgoris on Sunday as plainclothes police officers surrounded the church waiting for a self-confessed serial killer who was expected to surrender his weapons.
According to Trans Mara District Criminal Investigation Officer Alfred Ouko, the church’s pastor had reported to them that someone had contacted him claiming he was to hand over some arms.
The man is believed to be behind the recent spate of killings in Nakuru including that of Spin Knit factory and Spin Knit Dairies owner Shamji Shah and his wife, Sacita Shah, last month.
The Standard learnt that the man, who is on police’s wanted list, was also expected to give names of some senior police officers who he claimed were his accomplices.
Flying Squad
There was heavy security presence, with armed officers taking strategic positions inside and outside church compound as they waited for the man. Panic and confusion gripped congregants after Flying Squad officers pounced on a man exiting the church after the day’s sermon.
The officers attached to Rift Valley province headquarters in Nakuru handcuffed and whisked away James Ochoi as worshippers watched the movie-like incident in dismay.
Ochoi, who was mistakenly arrested by the Flying Squad officers, narrated how the officers grilled him after he was whisked out of the church.
He said he was also asked if he had any connection with any terrorist group and told be reporting at the CID office in Kilgoris every week to record statements over his utterances.
According to one of the officers, who was involved in the arrest, they mistook Ochoi with the man on the run over the killing of the Asian businessman in Nakuru.
Dangerous man
“We could not take anything by chance bearing in mind that the person we were looking for was a dangerous man and when Ochoi touched on security matters before the congregation, we became suspicious and we were forced to act swiftly,” said the Flying Squad officer.
Worshippers at the church said Ochoi was a new member and had raised suspicion among the officers after narrating about the deteriorating security in Mombasa where he resides when he was invited to introduce himself.
Ouko said despite the criminal failing to show up, intelligence showed that the he was living in the vicinity of Kilgoris town. Kericho ACK Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit denied any link between the church and the said criminal.
According to Trans Mara District Criminal Investigation Officer Alfred Ouko, the church’s pastor had reported to them that someone had contacted him claiming he was to hand over some arms.
The man is believed to be behind the recent spate of killings in Nakuru including that of Spin Knit factory and Spin Knit Dairies owner Shamji Shah and his wife, Sacita Shah, last month.
The Standard learnt that the man, who is on police’s wanted list, was also expected to give names of some senior police officers who he claimed were his accomplices.
Flying Squad
There was heavy security presence, with armed officers taking strategic positions inside and outside church compound as they waited for the man. Panic and confusion gripped congregants after Flying Squad officers pounced on a man exiting the church after the day’s sermon.
The officers attached to Rift Valley province headquarters in Nakuru handcuffed and whisked away James Ochoi as worshippers watched the movie-like incident in dismay.
Ochoi, who was mistakenly arrested by the Flying Squad officers, narrated how the officers grilled him after he was whisked out of the church.
He said he was also asked if he had any connection with any terrorist group and told be reporting at the CID office in Kilgoris every week to record statements over his utterances.
According to one of the officers, who was involved in the arrest, they mistook Ochoi with the man on the run over the killing of the Asian businessman in Nakuru.
Dangerous man
“We could not take anything by chance bearing in mind that the person we were looking for was a dangerous man and when Ochoi touched on security matters before the congregation, we became suspicious and we were forced to act swiftly,” said the Flying Squad officer.
Worshippers at the church said Ochoi was a new member and had raised suspicion among the officers after narrating about the deteriorating security in Mombasa where he resides when he was invited to introduce himself.
Ouko said despite the criminal failing to show up, intelligence showed that the he was living in the vicinity of Kilgoris town. Kericho ACK Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit denied any link between the church and the said criminal.
Source: The Standard
