In a recent incident in Kiamanyeki, Mwea, Kirinyaga County, plainclothes detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) narrowly escaped harm when local residents mistook them for abductors.
The officers, who arrived in an unmarked Subaru Impreza to arrest a suspect, were confronted by villagers alarmed by the increasing number of abductions in the area.
Failing to identify the detectives, the crowd became hostile, surrounding the vehicle and attempting to set it ablaze.
The situation escalated rapidly as tensions flared, with the villagers pelting the vehicle with stones and shouting, “Not in our village!”
The detectives managed to disperse the agitated crowd and flee the scene without sustaining injuries. Local police were called in to help calm the situation and prevent further unrest.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in areas where community members are on high alert due to security concerns.
It underscores the importance of clear communication and proper identification by officers to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to violence. The DCI has not yet issued an official statement regarding the event.