Two families accuse police of killing kin

Pennina Wambui, mother of Joseph Ndirangu who was shot dead by police on allegations of being a thug on Monday night. Ms Wambui said her son was killed in a case of mistaken identity. (PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/ STANDARD)

Police in Eldoret are on the spot following the killing of two youths they said were members of a four-man gang.

The families of the two youths now claim their kin were gunned down in a case of mistaken identity.

Police claimed the two were in a group of four who wanted to rob an entertainment joint in Shauri Moyo estate in the town on Monday night.

The family of Kennedy Waweru, 23, yesterday said he was a second-year student at one of the universities in the town while his colleague, Joseph Ndirangu, 22, had recently completed a driving school course.

Ndirangu’s mother, Penninah Wambui, and Waweru’s aunt, Margaret Nyambura  said the two had returned from a friend’s funeral before they met their death.

“My son was not a thug. He has been helping me in my small business and he was a sociable man. Why should police kill him in cold blood and claim he was a robber?” Ms Wambui asked.

Ms Nyambura accused the police of brutality, saying Waweru was a student.

Bright boy

“I am saddened that I have lost a bright boy in the family. I have lived with my brother’s son for several years and he has never had any criminal record. He was very keen on his studies as he was the hope of the family,” she said, adding, “He was pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree and was going to second year this September. A police bullet has robbed us of our beloved kin.”

According to Wambui, her son had accompanied his colleagues to attend the funeral of their friend at Maili Tisa on the outskirts of Eldoret town.

She said the two returned to town after a friend dropped them near the popular Slick Bar, which is a few metres from their home.

Wambui said police also arrested his other son, Julius Kego, yesterday at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where he had gone to view the body of his brother.

Nancy Waitherero, mother of one of the youths who was with two, said her son escaped unhurt, and had informed her that Waweru had won Sh7,000 in a betting competition and were going to celebrate at a nearby bar. “Thank God my son is alive. Police shot at them indiscriminately. They were innocent youths who just wanted to have fun. My son also trains with the National Youth Service (NYS) in Nairobi,” she said, adding, “I don’t know why police are looking for them as he has never been a criminal.”

But Eldoret OCPD Samuel Mutunga insisted the four were thugs and were armed with crude weapons. He said they had injured a watchman and the supervisor as they attempted to forcibly gain entry.

“My officers were tipped off before they swung into action. They managed to shoot dead two suspects and two others escaped. We have launched a manhunt for the two,” said Mr Mutunga.

He added: “The watchman and the supervisor were treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and discharged. They have already recorded a statement and we have also recovered the crude weapons used to commit the crime.”

But the families have dismissed the police claims, saying it was all a cover-up ploy.