Senate Serjeant-at-Arms Shoots Himself While Confronting Robbers in Thika

Senate Serjeant-at-Arms Joel Nkubitu is nursing a gunshot wound at a Nairobi hospital after he accidentally shot himself.

Nkubitu allegedly shot himself in the thigh while confronting robbers in Thika town on Sunday night.

Two men on a motorcycle are said to have attacked him and stole his mobile phone while he was stuck in a traffic jam in the town.

During the confrontation, the Senate official reportedly pulled out his firearm to fire in the air but he instead shot himself in the thigh. He was rushed to a Nairobi hospital and is in stable condition.

Police have opened an investigation into the incident even as it emerged that Nkubitu is a licensed gun holder.

It remains unclear how Nkubitu, a well-trained officer charged with the security and safety of MPs within the House, accidentally shot himself. 

A Serjeant-at-Arms is a parliamentary officer responsible for enforcing the Standing Orders, Speaker’s Rules, and Orders to ensure order and decorum. 

The officer also performs ceremonial duties including carrying the mace to and from the House during ordinary and special sittings of the House. 

He/she also keeps order during meetings, and, if necessary, forcibly removes any members or guests who are overly rowdy or disruptive. 

In most cases, Serjeant-at-Arms are retired soldiers, police officers, or other officials with experience in security.