Angry members of the public block a section of Mombasa- Malindi highway at Kibaoni stage in Kilifi town with burning tyres after a prison officer killed a middle aged man  on 2.7.2017.photo:standard

Rioting broke out in Kilifi town following the shooting of a man by a prison warder.

Jamal Washe was shot dead in unclear circumstances at the Kibaoni stage on Sunday morning.

Following the shooting, angry residents pelted a police vehicle with stones and barricaded the Mombasa-Malindi road.

Kilifi OCPD Alexander Makau claimed Mr Washe was shot after he attacked police officers on patrol.

"The officers were on routine patrol when they stumbled on Washe, who started running away before he turned back and started stoning them," said Mr Makau.

But Washe's brother, Rama Gambo, claimed his brother was shot in the back as he fled.

According to Mr Gambo, two armed officers raided a drug den identified as Migamuni near Kibaoni. The raid attracted residents who crowded the scene.

"Jamal was drinking tea near the stage and decided to go and see what was happening in Migamuni. Police fired in the air and Jamal started running.

The prison officer fired at him and the bullet hit him in the back and went through his chest," said Gambo, who also disputed a police statement that his brother was armed.

Human rights activist Baraka Thoya also disputed the police version.

"The man was running away and that is why he was hit in the back," he said.