Kenya: Thieves Break into Police Station While Officers Watch UEFA Champions League

There is cause for concern when the security forces that are trained, paid and charged with the protection of lives and properties of the citizens cannot even protect themselves or keep an eye on their weapons.

It was a shock when reports made the rounds last night that local thieves broke into the Kobujoi Police Station of Nandi County in Kenya and made away with weapons and ammunition while the officers on duty were busy watching the champions league quarter-final tie between FC Barcelona of Spain and Manchester United of England at a nearby pub.

According to the reports, all the officers on duty went to watch the match leaving the police station empty and unmonitored, not considering the fact that they had weapons and live ammunition within the premises.

After the match, the officers who were either in jubilation mood or sad (depending on the team they were supporting on the night), got back to the station to discover that the office of the officer in charge which also doubles as the armory was open.

As if that was not enough trouble, they went in to find out that the steel box where firearms were kept has been broken and weapons carted away with.

According to their official statement, the daredevils stole three rifles, with magazines of 20 rounds of ammunition each. They left behind only two magazines with 17 and 20 rounds.

The scene of the robbery was visited by the Nandi South OCPD, OCS and AP Commander who said investigations and search were underway to recover the stolen firearms and bring the suspects to book.

Indeed, this will go down as one of the all-time lows in the history of the police force in Kenya.

What do you think should be done to the police officers who left their duty post to watch a football match? 

Header Image Credit: Nairobi Wire