Prison warder hurls teargas in Kericho hotel after being denied entry

Chaos erupted at a hotel along Isaac Salat Road in Kericho town after a prison officer allegedly hurled a teargas canister into the premises following a disagreement over access.

The bizarre incident, which took place on the evening of Wednesday, July 3, has been captured in a police report filed under OB number 70/3/7/2025 at 2120 hours.

According to the report, the drama began at around 6:30 p.m. when a man, later identified as a prison officer, demanded to access the hotel through its rear gate, which opens towards Jeet Motors garage.

When his request was denied, he reportedly introduced himself as an officer and stormed off, vowing to return.

True to his word, about an hour later, at around 7:00 p.m, the man allegedly came back, this time wearing a hood and a face mask to conceal his identity.

Witnesses told police he entered the hotel, pulled a teargas canister from his pocket and detonated it inside the dining area, where patrons were enjoying their meals.

Panic broke out instantly. Diners scrambled for safety, knocking over tables and chairs in the rush to escape the choking fumes. Several customers fled without settling their bills, while furniture and property were left damaged in the aftermath.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Responding officers recovered the spent teargas shell, a safety pin, and shattered pieces of a glass jar used for serving water.

Police have since identified the suspect as Antony Munene, a prison officer attached to Kericho Medium Prison. At the time of the incident, Munene was reportedly on pass leave. He fled the scene on an unidentified motorcycle.

The case has been taken over by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kericho East, who are now pursuing the suspect. The hotel is currently assessing the full extent of losses and property damage caused by the stampede.