GSU Officer Flees After Fatal Shooting at Eldoret Camp
A police officer from the General Service Unit remains at large after allegedly shooting and killing a 45-year-old woman at a mess compound near Eldoret on Sunday afternoon.
The incident unfolded around 5 pm at the facility in Naiberi, Ainamoi sub-county, when an argument between the officer and Doris Murei escalated fatally. Witnesses reported that the woman had been consuming alcohol at the compound when the confrontation began, though the precise trigger remains unclear to investigators.
The officer, identified as a constable attached to a county governor’s security detail and armed with a rifle, is said to have opened fire during the dispute, killing Murei instantly. He then fled the scene, prompting an immediate manhunt by local police. By Monday morning the suspect had not been located, and colleagues publicly urged him to surrender. Scene of crime officers recovered seven spent 9mm cartridges, a Toyota Corolla, and a rifle holster, all treated as key exhibits in the unfolding case.
County police commanders and specialised units processed the location thoroughly before the body was transferred to the mortuary at the main referral hospital in Eldoret for a postmortem examination. Authorities confirmed that investigations are continuing under the relevant sub-county criminal investigations office, with every effort focused on tracing and apprehending the officer for questioning. The rapid response reflected standard protocols for incidents involving service firearms on official premises.
The tragedy has drawn attention to broader concerns about the psychological pressures faced by officers across the country. Officials have noted a rise in cases linked to trauma, including instances of self-harm and violence, prompting the establishment of dedicated counselling units within the police service. These programmes aim to evaluate risks, design outreach, and address mental health and substance issues that can arise from the demanding nature of the work, which routinely places personnel in high-stress environments.
As the search for the missing officer intensifies, the case underscores the fragile line between professional duty and personal crisis within the security forces. Families of the deceased and the wider community await answers, while authorities continue efforts to ensure accountability and support systems that might prevent similar losses in future.
