Police in Kisumu have launched investigations following a daring dawn attack at Fairways Hotel, formerly Best Western Hotel, located within Lake Basin Mall, where a gang of more than 100 people invaded the premises, assaulted employees, and destroyed property.
According to a police report recorded under OB 12 of March 11, 2026, at Obunga Police Station in Kisumu Central Sub-County, the group of unknown assailants stormed the hotel at around 5:20 a.m.
The attackers reportedly overpowered and tied up a security guard manning the main gate before proceeding to the hotel arena, where they vandalized property and stole several electronic devices and other items.
“Refer to OB 12 of 11.03.2026 at 0940 hrs. It was reported through mobile phone number 0716320xxx by one Irungu Nyakera that robbers armed with crude weapons had invaded his hotel, Fairways, located at Lake Basin, at around 0520 hrs. This is about 3 km north of the station,” the police report stated in part.
Police said the gang, believed to be using motorcycles, broke window panes and made away with four computers, four CPUs, one printer, two tablets, assorted drinks from the counter, and a personal HP laptop.
The attackers also vandalized a vehicle at the scene, smashing both the rear and front windscreens of a Toyota Land Cruiser registration number KDC 970Y.
During the attack, the hotel owner, identified as Irungu Nyakera, reportedly emerged from where he was resting after hearing the commotion and fired two rounds in the air using a licensed firearm in an attempt to scare off the attackers.
“They went ahead and smashed both rear and front windscreens of the motor vehicle reg. KDC 970Y make Land Cruiser. In the process, the owner, who was around and a licensed firearm holder, fired two rounds in the air to scare them away,” the police report added.
Police officers and crime scene investigators have since processed the scene as investigations continue. Authorities said the value of the stolen items and the extent of the damage have yet to be established.
“Officers are currently at the scene, and the value of the stolen items and damages has not yet been established. The scene has been processed by CSI, and a further report will follow. Case PUI and DCI Kondele are investigating,” the report indicated.
Speaking to the media after the incident, Nyakera criticized the police for what he termed as a delayed response to the attack, accusing them of taking a back seat while his employees were under assault.
