This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
On Saturday, July 4, 2020, a convoy of Kenya Prisons Service officers, headed to Kisii for the burial of their colleague Wilfred Onywoki, was stopped by a team led by Gucha Sub-County Commander Nicholas Ngomo in Ogembo, Gucha Sub-County, Kisii County.
Ngomo questioned the officers' compliance with various regulations meant to curb the spread of Covid-19, including the lack of face-masks, requisite travel approvals, and failure to observe social distance.
However, an argument ensued between the prison officers and the police, which soon degenerated into fistfights. The prison officers, who outnumbered the Administration Police (AP) officers, overpowered them and sent some of the police officers scampering for safety.
Ngomo was forced to withdraw his team to prevent further chaos as the incensed prison officers vowed to attend their colleague's funeral service.
According to a report filed at Ogembo Police Station, the prison officers kept telling their AP counterparts that they were also officers and would not adhere to orders.
The government had issued directives in April for those wishing to attend burials in areas outside the counties under lockdown, such as Nairobi and Mombasa, to obtain a signed and stamped letter from the area OCS and Chief, and present the original burial permit.
