Kenyan policeman kills 5 civilians before committing suicide

NAIROBI, Kenya

A Kenyan police officer on Tuesday morning went on a "killing spree" on the outskirts of the capital Nairobi gunning down five civilians before committing suicide, the country's investigation authority said.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal investigations in Nairobi said that “six people have been confirmed dead and two others are in critical condition after a police officer went on a killing spree early this morning.”

Police Constable Benson Imbasi, who later committed suicide by turning the gun on himself, first killed his wife by shooting her in the neck.

Then he walked out of his house and opened fire at passers-by.

Kenyan police said that the cop who went rogue was wielding an AK-47 assault rifle which he used to kill three young men and a motorbike rider at a market within Kabete area.

The three men whose identities are yet to be established were mourners who had just attended a funeral preparation.​​​​​​​

“After killing the three, the cop then turned his rifle at two other motorbike riders, one of whom lost his life while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital. The rider had woken up early to first deliver loaves of bread at different shops which was his side hustle, before embarking on his daily routine of ferrying passengers,” the police said.

Two others who were injured in the incident were rushed to hospital.

The firearm issued to the officer was also recovered loaded with four rounds of ammunition.

Police said an investigation into the incident has been launched.