State House Speaks Out on Knife-Wielding Intruder

State House, Nairobi has issued a statement confirming that an intruder was shot and injured on Monday evening.

In a statement, State House spokesperson Kanze Dena explained that the suspect named Brian Kibet Bera jumped over one of State House gates.

She said Kibet drew a knife when he was ordered to surrender by security officers guarding the gate.

“(He) was shot and wounded on the left shoulder by officers manning the gate after he drew a knife when he was challenged to stop,” said Dena.

Dena said the suspect was booked at Kileleshwa Police Station vide Ob No. 39 following the 4:05 pm incident. He was later was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.

"Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive of the trespass and appropriate action will be taken upon conclusion," she added.

“State House is a designated protected area under the Protected Areas Act. For that reason no person is allowed access to the premise without the permission of the prescribed authority,” she warned.

A police report indicated that the 25-year-old is a 5th-year Mechanical Engineering student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

In 2017, an intruder was shot dead after he gained unauthorized access into State House grounds.

In March 2016, 29-year-old William Njuguna was arrested and charged with trespassing after he jumped two fences and gained access into the State House compound.

He was released but was found dead at Uhuru Park a few days later.

In October 2015, another man identified as Kadhik Juma Walter was arrested and charged after he gained access into State House through an opening in the fence.

During the court proceedings, Juma told the judge that he had gained access to State House compound several times and regularly slept on the football pitch.