Police Officer Shot Dead by Suspected Drug Traffickers in Isiolo
Isiolo, Kenya – Tragedy struck on the evening of Sunday, September 22, 2025, when a police officer was shot dead by suspected drug traffickers in the outskirts of Isiolo town, sending shockwaves through the local community and security agencies alike.
According to authorities, the incident occurred at around 8:30 PM in the Kambi Garba area, a neighborhood long suspected to be a hotspot for illicit drug operations. The slain officer, attached to the Isiolo Police Station’s special anti-narcotics unit, was part of a team conducting a covert operation following a tip-off about a planned drug consignment arriving in the area.
Eyewitnesses report that the officers, in plain clothes and using an unmarked vehicle, had just intercepted a suspicious motorbike believed to be ferrying narcotics when gunfire erupted. In the chaos, one officer was fatally shot in the chest at close range. The assailants, believed to be part of a larger trafficking ring, fled the scene on foot, leaving behind the motorbike and a small quantity of what is suspected to be heroin.
The fallen officer was rushed to Isiolo County Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 9:15 PM. His identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
County police commander James Muriithi, while addressing the media on Monday morning, September 23, condemned the attack and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. “This is a direct assault on law enforcement and the people of Isiolo. We will not relent in our fight against drug trafficking,” he said, adding that a multi-agency manhunt had been launched.
The incident has reignited concerns over the growing influence of drug cartels in Northern Kenya and the increasing danger faced by officers on the frontlines of the war on drugs. Residents have called for increased patrols and better protection for officers operating in high-risk zones.
As investigations continue, authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that may aid in the swift arrest of the suspects.
