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By Maurice AlalOne person has been killed and another injured by police in Muhoroni in what appeared to be a mistaken identity.
Chemelil AP officers were trailing 11 cows that had been stolen from a home in Mikiria village on Tuesday night.
It is reported that the cattle rustlers had driven the animals towards Nandi county.
Moses Omondi, who survived with a gunshot wound on his left hand, said six youths were helping to look for the animals.
He said they later saw an AP vehicle trailing them and the officers opened fire killing one of the youths - Alex Okello.
"We are not thieves and we had left in advance after an alarm had been raised by the owner of the stolen cows," Omondi said.
Nyangoma MCA Samuel Ong'ou accused the officers of working with the rustlers.
Ong'ou said the officers opened fire to delay the search and give the rustlers time to escape.
He gave area DC Solomon Abwaku seven days to ensure the stolen animals are recovered or else he will call for his transfer.
Abwaku said they have launched investigations.
He said the two youths are suspected of stealing the animals and were driving them to their accomplices in Nandi county.
However, those who escaped unhurt maintained that Okello and Omondi are not rustlers but were trailing the animals.
Abwaku said four AP officers have recorded statements over the shooting incident.
He said six witnesses have also recorded statements.
Abwaku said five cows have been recovered as officers intensify their search for the remaining animals.
The administrator said animals were recovered at Ngeta farm in Nyangore.
"We have established the names of cattle rustlers and we are pursuing them," Abwaku said.
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