By Augustine Ehikioya
Scaling all odds, the Kenyan’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations’s Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) has become the Best Law Enforcement Pistol Shooting Team in Africa.
The team achieved the feat at the just concluded International Defence Pistol Association (IDPA) African championship.
Over 200 shooters from Africa and other countries including Spain, Switzerland among other select European nations took part in the championship.
The 2021 championship Kick-started on 4th September, 2021 at the Kirigiti range and was officially declared opened by Mr Martin Otieno, the Director ATPU.
While congratulating the winning teams, Mr Otieno also complimented the rest of the participating teams for displaying a spirit of sportsmanship.
Security Watch Africa gathered on Wednesday that the Kenyan shooters were drawn from the KDF, Kenya Police, Prison, among other security agencies and civilians.
“The competitions were further classified into different Divisions of Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP), Service Stock Pistol (SSP) and Pistol Carbine Caliber (PCC) while tiers were Masters, Experts, Sharp shooter, Marksman and Novice.
“After a two-day display of spirited fight in the range, the DCI – ATPU emerged the overall winners of the competition, taking home 9 trophies.
“GSU’s RECCE company scooped the second position with 6 trophies, Prisons came in third with 4 trophies while Kenya Police clinched position four with 3 trophies
“Sammy Onyango, the DCI-ATPU lead instructor successfully defended his title as he was crowned the overall ESP Master winner.
In the divisional categories, “Chief Inspector Alvince Osura won the PCC Marksman category. Police Constable Mike Kiptanui earned the second position in the ESP Expert tier.
“ESP Sharp shooter category winner went to John Asanju while the second position was taken by Police Constable Aden Barrow.”
James Ekaalen, in the PCC Novice tier, also emerged Victorious as Julius Mwaniki trailed him in the second position.
“ESP marksman category was won by Joel Leskamosi whereas ESP Novice was owned by Police Constable Kennedy Orwa.”