Kenyan policeman in shooting rampage Published duration 7 November 2010

A police officer has gone on a shooting rampage in Kenya, killing at least 10 people, officials say.

The shootings happened in Siakago, 90 miles (150km) north-east of the capital, Nairobi.

Local media say the officer opened fire in three different bars, killing one person in each of the first two bars and eight people in the third bar.

He then tried to shoot himself but had run out of ammunition so gave himself up, police said.

"He has not talked and the motive is not clear," said district commissioner John Chelimo.

He said the suspect, who is in his 30s and worked as a guard at his residence, had apparently gone out on Saturday evening looking for a female friend but could not find her.

Charles Owino, a deputy spokesman in Kenya's regular police division, told Reuters that two of the officer's colleagues from the provincial police were among the victims.

"He went from one bar to another and was shooting indiscriminately. Apparently he was looking for his girlfriend after he left duty," he said.

"Apparently no-one was injured during the shooting - all those he shot at, died," Mr Owino added.

Local radio reporter Antonin Newite said many townspeople did not realise what was happening because they mistook the gunfire for fireworks.

Hindus in Kenya have been celebrating the festival of Diwali.

The shooting spree sparked a large protest outside Siakago police station on Sunday, according to Nyaga Manunga, whose daughter was one of those killed.

"In Siakago there is no security," he was quoted as saying by Associated Press. "Someone can't just shoot 20 to 30 bullets without any reaction from the police."