Police arrested for 'killing' mourner in Nairobi’s Mukuru slums

A policeman has been arrested for allegedly gunning down a mourner and injuring two others during a brawl at a funeral meeting in Nairobi’s Mukuru slums.

Witnesses said the victims were at the meeting on Saturday night when they disagreed with the officer attached to the Industrial Area Police Station.

It is said he reached for his gun and fired, killing one person on the spot and seriously injuring two others.

The shooting sparked violent protests from residents who demanded the officer’s immediate arrest. The residents detained the body and chased away a team of police officers who arrived to collect it.

Makadara OCPD Nehemia Lagat said they were yet to establish the motive of the shooting.

“We have looked at the case and realised the officer may have been in the wrong and that is why he was arrested as soon as we heard of the shooting. He will face charges in court,” said the police boss.

The protests continued yesterday morning before locals learnt that the officer had been apprehended.

Police said the two wounded victims were in hospital and in stable condition. The incident is the latest in which police have been accused of misusing their guns and being trigger-happy. 

CIVIC EDUCATION

Officials at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) said they woud probe the circumstances behind the incident.

Ipoa chairman Macharia Njeru said there was ignorance among many Kenyans about their mandates and called for civic education to address the problem.

“We need to have civic education for Kenyans to help them understand our mandate and that of the police,” said Mr Njeru.

He said Ipoa has investigated and prosecuted two cases against two police officers for abuse of power and will forward 10 more to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for action.

Njeru said they were not opposed to the use of firearms by police, only the way they are used.