Chaos in Kericho as police officer lobs teargas canister inside hotel

A night of panic swept through a hotel in Kericho town after an off‑duty police officer, reportedly intoxicated, lobbed a teargas canister into a crowd of unsuspecting diners. The incident, which took place late on Thursday evening, sent customers and staff scrambling for safety as choking gas filled the building, and people dove under tables or raced toward the exits. Witnesses described a chaotic scene of shouting, coughing and confusion as the teargas ignited mass panic.
According to bystanders, the drama began when the officer — dressed in civilian clothing and said to be attached to a nearby police station — entered the hotel in the company of a woman. He quickly began harassing guests and disrupting the calm atmosphere, prompting hotel staff and patrons to demand that he identify himself. When confronted, he reportedly became aggressive, attempting to assault staff before being subdued by members of the public and ejected. What followed was a brief departure on a boda‑boda motorcycle — only for him to return moments later with a teargas canister. Without warning, he hurled it into the crowded hotel.
The fallout was immediate: terrified patrons coughed and gasped for air, some suffering minor respiratory problems, while others feared for their lives as panic triggered a stampede toward the exits. Even after the officer fled again on his motorcycle, the emotional and physical aftershocks lingered. By the following morning, senior police officials in Kericho County had not issued a public statement, though locals demanded swift disciplinary action and assurances that rogue officers will be held accountable.
The incident has reignited concerns over police conduct and public safety in social spaces across the country. Many residents have called on the National Police Service to speed up its internal investigation, publicly identify the officer, and take decisive steps to prevent similar episodes. If proper action is taken, the tragedy could serve as a wake‑up call — but failure to respond decisively risks eroding public trust in security institutions.