The management of Attela Beach Resort in Kisumu is demanding answers following a controversial police raid on Sunday night that left a female security guard nursing a gunshot wound, caused extensive property damage, and led to significant financial losses after customers fled the premises without settling their bills.
Speaking to the media at the resort on Monday, June 8, 2026, Attela Beach Resort Communications and Marketing Manager Winnie Wenga Walcott said the establishment was still trying to understand the motive behind the operation, which she claimed began at around 7:40 p.m.
According to Walcott, about 12 police officers, some allegedly in plain clothes, entered the entertainment spot while it was packed with revelers.
“We are still trying to understand the cause of the raid. When they arrived at around 7:40 p.m., the venue was already full of customers. By the time we realized what was happening, some officers who were in civilian clothing had already entered and started collecting shisha pots from clients’ tables. Ten shisha pots were taken and loaded into their vehicles,” she said.
Walcott further alleged that some officers proceeded to the luggage storage area and searched customers’ belongings, with several patrons reportedly losing valuables during the operation.
“We suffered huge losses because many customers left without paying their bills. There was also extensive damage to property, and our clients were intimidated and threatened during the operation,” she added.
She said the situation escalated when revelers attempted to protect the premises and questioned officers who were allegedly searching through customers’ bags.
According to Walcott, one officer reportedly cocked his firearm while another officer removed the safety pin from a tear gas canister and hurled it into the crowd, triggering chaos that culminated in the shooting of a female security guard.
“One officer cocked his gun and threatened people, while another threw tear gas at revelers. Moments later, our security guard was shot in the thigh. It is heartbreaking that even the people who were trying to rush the injured woman to hospital were allegedly beaten by police officers,” she said.
Despite the incident, Walcott praised customers who she said helped safeguard the establishment during the turmoil.
“We thank our clients for standing with us and helping protect what we have worked so hard to build. We want to assure everyone that we are operating normally,” she said.
The resort has since lodged a complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and indicated that legal action is underway.
“We have recorded statements with IPOA and initiated legal processes. What shocked us most was the sheer number of officers involved. At one point, there appeared to be more than 50 officers participating in the operation. We have never witnessed anything like this before,” she said.
The incident has drawn condemnation from tourism stakeholders, with Victoria Lake Tourism Association Secretary-General Robert Ayoko calling for an independent and speedy investigation.
“As people promoting domestic tourism in this region, we strongly condemn what happened at Attela Beach Resort. This establishment contributes significantly to tourism and revenue generation in the area. We are conducting our own investigations to establish exactly what transpired,” Ayoko said.
He stressed that while law enforcement agencies have a mandate to enforce the law, operations targeting businesses should be conducted professionally and in a manner that does not humiliate investors in front of their customers.
Operating across 13 counties in the Nyanza and Western Kenya regions, the association reassured tourists that Kisumu remains a safe destination.
“I want to assure tourists that Kisumu is safe and we encourage them to continue visiting the city and other attractions within the region. Investors are also welcome to invest here because their security is guaranteed,” Ayoko said.
He further urged businesses in the tourism sector to comply with all relevant regulations to facilitate swift intervention whenever disputes arise.
Meanwhile, Attela Beach Resort management reiterated that business operations remain uninterrupted and vowed to strengthen security measures at the facility.
Efforts to obtain comments from senior police commanders in Kisumu were unsuccessful, as the officers contacted declined to comment on the allegations.
