The war on crime in Siaya County has taken a disturbing twist with the arrest of a serving police officer linked to a violent robbery syndicate terrorizing Bondo residents.

Police Constable Mark Owino was apprehended at Holo Police Station following a forensic trail that placed him at the scene of a brutal heist. The arrest confirms the long-held public suspicion that the very individuals sworn to protect them are orchestrating the wave of insecurity gripping the region.

Caught on Camera

The breakthrough came courtesy of CCTV footage from Gumbe Mini Shop at Ajigo Trading Centre. The video captured a chilling scene: three assailants, one identified as Owino, storming the premises armed with an AK-47 and machetes.

• The Attack: The footage shows the gang striking a shop attendant with a panga and forcing victims to the floor before looting the day’s sales.
• The Betrayal: Owino’s involvement is a stark betrayal of his badge. He was not just an accomplice; evidence suggests he was an active participant in the violence.

Cleaning House

Local residents have expressed relief at the arrest but demanded a wider purge of the local security apparatus. "We sleep with one eye open because the enemy is within," a local trader remarked.

As Owino awaits arraignment, the case stands as a litmus test for the police force's commitment to rooting out criminal elements from its ranks. In Bondo, trust in the uniform hangs by a thread.