It was an unlucky day for former MCA Barnaba Lagat after police officers from Kapcherop in Elgeyo Marakwet shot him over mask on Monday. In an incident that occured in the evening at Kapcherop center in Cherangany, reports indicate that the former Kiptoror ward representative was involved in an argument with officers from the neighboring Trans Zoia County.

It is alleged that the officers had crossed over to the center and we’re beating up a youngstar for breaking Covid rules.

Witnesses say that Lagat rushed to the scene but his intervention irked one of the officers who shot him on the upper left arm. The officers who were in a police car went back to their station after the incident.

Cherangany parliamentary aspirant Julius Tunduria has confirmed that Lagat was rushed to Ziwa health center before being referred to Moi Referral and Teaching Hospital.

There’s tension in the area as residents threaten to storm Kapchorop Police Station to protest the shooting. Area MP Joshua Kuttuny has condemned the act and called for action against the officers.

However, Trans Zoia County commander Jacinta Wesonga has denied the allegations against the officers. She said that officers were conducting a crackdown against illegal goods when he public started throwing stones at them, which prompted the officers to shoot.