Police in Matungu, Kakamega County, fought running battles with angry traders at Koyonzo market who were protesting the killing of two night watchmen at the market by suspected criminals.
The traders accused the officers of negligence that led to the death of the two guards.
Trouble started when the officers arrived at the market to collect the bodies of the two watchmen.
Angry traders pelted them with stones, forcing the police to respond by firing several canisters of tear gas to disperse the protesters.
In the chaos, the demonstrators broke into a police post in the market and burned two motorcycles that had been impounded, as well as property of unknown value. They also broke into the officers’ quarters and set fire to their belongings.
According to a DCI report, a firearm with 29 rounds of ammunition was lost in the unrest.
At least 40 people have so far been arrested in connection with the mayhem and were arraigned on Tuesday.