Police officer shot dead, gun stolen while guarding national exams in Turkana

A police officer tasked with guarding national examination materials in Turkana County was fatally shot at dawn on Monday, and his firearm was stolen.

The incident has raised security concerns across the region, causing anxiety among education officials administering the examinations and concerns over the safety of the materials.

The shooting occurred in Lokori town at the Turkana East Deputy County Commissioner's office, where a container holding papers for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations were being kept. 

The slain officer, identified as APC Chrisphine Ouma of Lokori Police Station, was found dead at his post in the early hours of November 3, 2025.

Police reports indicate that Ouma was seated on a mattress enclosed in a mosquito net, leaning against the wall in a pool of blood, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators said the bullet, fired from close range, entered through his left eye and exited through the upper part of the skull, suggesting a deliberate and close-range attack.

His AK-47 rifle (Serial No. AP 59015111), loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, was missing. A single 7.62x51mm spent cartridge was recovered at the scene and preserved as evidence.

According to the police report, Ouma’s colleague, PC Cyrus Mwangi, who had been deployed with him to guard the examination container, heard a single gunshot at around 4:30 a.m. from Ouma’s direction.

Mwangi took cover immediately, fearing an ambush, before cautiously approaching and discovering that his colleague had been fatally shot and his firearm stolen.

A team of senior officers, including the Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Turkana East, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Lokori, and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO), visited and processed the scene.

The officer’s body was later moved to Lodwar County Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Police have classified the incident as a robbery with violence and the murder of a police officer on duty.

Confirming the incident, Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita condemned the brutal killing, terming it a cowardly attack on a government officer performing a national duty.

 “We have lost a disciplined and patriotic officer who was guarding national examination materials. This was a cowardly act meant to intimidate security officers and disrupt national processes,” said Kavita.

“Our security teams are pursuing all leads to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. We have also reinforced security around all examination centres to ensure the safety of learners and examination officials.”

The Turkana County Director of Education, Henry Lubanga, also confirmed that the shooting occurred at the examination container stationed at the DCC’s office in Lokori.

“Yes, the unfortunate incident took place at the examination container where officers were deployed on night guard duty,” Lubanga said.

“However, I wish to assure the public that the container was not tampered with, and the examinations proceeded smoothly as scheduled.”

Lubanga expressed his condolences to the family of the slain officer and lauded the police for their swift action in securing the examination centre immediately after the shooting.

“We deeply mourn the loss of the officer who died protecting our examination materials. We thank the National Police Service for acting promptly and ensuring the integrity of the examinations remained intact,” he added.

Residents of Lokori have expressed shock and disbelief over the incident, saying it is the first time in history that a police officer has been killed while guarding national examinations in the region.

“This has never happened before in Turkana. We have seen police guard exams for many years, even during times of insecurity, but no officer has ever been shot dead in the line of duty like this,” said Mary Ekal, a resident of Lokori town.

 “It is a very sad day for us. Officer Ouma was known by many here, and everyone respected him. For someone to kill a police officer guarding exams is shocking — it shows criminals have no fear of law anymore,” added Peter Lokiru, a local elder.

The SCCIO Turkana East has launched an investigation into the murder and the theft of the rifle. Detectives are exploring possible links to armed bandits or criminal elements believed to be targeting police weapons in the region.