Nairobi: A suspected extremist being held at police station in western Kenya grabbed a gun and shot at police officers, killing four, leading to a hostage situation, an official said Thursday.
Police commandos have been deployed to rescue other prisoners from the station and try to end the standoff, Kenya's police chief, Joseph Boinnet, said.
"His attempts to escape were thwarted by quick arrival by other officers," Boinnet said.
The station commander was among those killed, West Pokot County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga said.
Kenya has been trying to contain growing extremism influenced by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group based in neighboring Somalia. The Islamic State group has also emerged as a threat after authorities said tens of Kenyan youth were being recruited by the group.
