By Mumo Judah
Loosuk, Samburu County, May 31, 2026
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched formal investigations into a fatal shooting incident in Loosuk, Samburu County, in which a 15-year-old boy was killed on Friday evening in circumstances authorities are treating as a suspected case of mistaken identity.
According to preliminary reports, the incident involved a National Police Reserve (NPR) officer who was deployed to guard a private residence in an area that has experienced heightened security concerns in recent months due to ongoing instability.
Investigators say early findings indicate that the officer may have mistaken the teenager for a potential security threat before opening fire, resulting in the fatal shooting. However, authorities have cautioned that the exact sequence of events remains under active investigation and no final conclusions have been reached.
DCI officers, working alongside other security agencies, have since processed the scene as part of efforts to gather forensic evidence and reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is expected to focus on whether established procedures governing the use of firearms were followed by the reserve officer at the time of the shooting.
The body of the deceased has been moved to a local mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to assist in the ongoing investigation. Officials say the autopsy findings will be key in informing both the legal and investigative processes.
Residents of Loosuk have expressed concern over the incident, which has heightened anxiety in parts of Samburu County where security operations involving both regular police and reserve units remain active. The region has in recent years experienced sporadic insecurity, prompting increased deployment of law enforcement personnel.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue, calling on the public to allow the DCI process to proceed without interference while assuring that accountability will be established once all facts are confirmed.
The National Police Service is expected to issue further updates as more details emerge from the ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
