Kenya, June 26, 2026 - The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Bangale Police Station, Chief Inspector Sylvester Wambua, has died following a fierce exchange of gunfire between security officers and suspected militia members in Bangale Sub-county, Tana River County.
According to a police report ,a joint security team comprising officers from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Administration Police Service (APS), and the General Service Unit (GSU) launched an operation in the Biyagadud area.
The operation, led by Bangale Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) SP Julius Rotich, was mounted in response to an earlier report of suspected militia activity. The officers pursued the armed group towards the Lebile area, where they engaged them in a gun battle that lasted approximately 40 minutes.
After the exchange of fire, officers realized that Chief Inspector Wambua was missing. A search operation was immediately launched, leading to the discovery of his body about 100 metres from the tarmac road. His G3 service rifle was found beside him.
Quoting the police report, authorities said: "At the end of the shooting incident, it was established that No. 237075 CI Sylvester Wambua, OCS Bangale Police Station, was missing. A search team was dispatched and his body was found lying in a prone position approximately 100 metres from the tarmac road, with his G3 rifle beside him."
The report further stated: "Upon physical examination, no visible injuries were observed on the body, although it appeared stiff and unresponsive. The officer was immediately rushed to Medinah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel."
Chief Inspector Wambua's body has been preserved at Medinah Hospital awaiting a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
Police have classified the case as a sudden death pending investigations, with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Bangale leading the inquiry. Authorities have not disclosed whether any suspected militia members were killed or arrested during the operation. The circumstances surrounding the officer's death remain under investigation.
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