Student in hospital after alleged shooting by police

A 15-year-old student in Garissa County is fighting for his life, after he was allegedly shot by a senior police officer at Banane township on Thursday night.

The Form Four student at Banane Secondary School in Lagdera Constituency, was allegedly shot and wounded by the officer under unclear circumstances.

Garissa Provincial General Hospital nurse-in-charge Hassan Abdullahi, said the student is admitted at the facility with bullet wounds in his legs and head.

Lagdera sub-county Commissioner George Omollo, said the incident took place at a time when the officers were on a normal patrol.

“We are investigating the shooting incident and will get back to you as soon as we get into the bottom of the matter,” he said.

He said action would be taken against the officer involved if it is found that he misused his firearm.

Witnesses told The Standard on Saturday that the officer who commands the Administration Police post in Banane Division was allegedly drank when he shot twice at a group of students.

“He took the student's phone by force and when the student demanded for it, the officer threatened to shot him dead and a few minutes later, he made good his threat and opened fire. The bullets got him on the head and legs," said Abdirahman Abdi of Banane.

Mr Abdi claimed the police officer is known to harass and extort residents.

Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye, wants Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to take disciplinary action against the officer adding that cases of law enforcers misusing their firearms were on the rise.