State House
By Kimberly Kalusi
Police are investigating a shocking incident in which a General Service Unit (GSU) officer was fatally speared outside State House, Nairobi, on Monday morning. The suspect, identified as Kinyuka Kinyumi, 56, was arrested at the scene and claimed that he was “sent by Satan” to carry out the attack.
According to police reports, the attack occurred around 11 a.m. at Gate D, one of the entrances routinely used by members of the public and visitors undergoing security clearance. Witnesses said the man approached the entrance carrying a spear before suddenly lunging at the officer on duty.
“This man claims he was sent by Satan to attack the police officer. He killed him, and he is lucky to be alive himself,” said a senior police officer familiar with the investigation.
The attacker allegedly aimed the weapon at the officer’s upper body, striking him in the left side of the chest. The officer collapsed instantly as his colleagues rushed to restrain the assailant. He was disarmed and taken into custody before being handed over to investigators for interrogation.
The victim, a member of the GSU’s G Company, was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Medical officials confirmed that he had suffered heavy bleeding from the chest wound.
Police said the motive behind the killing remains unclear, but early statements from the suspect suggest a psychological or religious delusion may have influenced his actions.
“He told investigators that he walked to State House after receiving what he described as instructions from Satan. We are working to establish whether he has a history of mental illness or any criminal background,” said an officer involved in the case.
The area where the attack occurred was temporarily sealed off as security officers conducted a sweep of the vicinity. The spear, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered and taken as evidence.
Security has since been heightened around State House, with all access points placed under strict surveillance. Officers were deployed to reinforce the perimeter and monitor the area for any potential threats.
Police have opened a murder investigation, and the suspect is expected to undergo a mental health evaluation before being arraigned.
The slain officer’s body was moved to the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continues its probe.
“We are treating this as a serious security incident. The investigation will determine whether this was an isolated act or if there were other underlying factors,” a senior officer said.
The incident has shocked members of the security forces, as attacks within the vicinity of State House — one of the most heavily guarded areas in the country — are exceedingly rare.
