Kwale police under fire after shooting of Class 1 pupil

An 11-year-old boy from Taru in Kwale County is recovering from a bullet wound after police reportedly shot him in the shoulder.

Kamanza Ngala, a Standard One pupil at Nyachu Primary School, was allegedly shot on Wednesday evening when police entered their homestead and started shooting indiscriminately, apparently, in pursuit of a violent criminal.

Reports indicate police stormed the homestead in the evening in pursuit of a man wanted for the murder of a watchman in the village, a day earlier.

BEAT WOMEN

After storming the home, the officers allegedly beat up three women and men in the homestead demanding that they produce the suspect.

The suspect later surrendered to Taru police the same evening and it is not clear if he was charged.

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A bullet hit the boy’s shoulder and exited through the chest.

Kamanza has been recuperating at the Coast General Hospital since Wednesday.

The family now wants the police to take responsibility and foot the hospital bill.

Yesterday, a visit by The Standard team revealed the boy was still recuperating after undergoing a surgery to patch up the wound left behind by the bullet that ripped through his chest.

The boy said he was at home around 7pm when a police vehicle entered their compound and without warning, officers started shooting as people fled.

“I was at home around 7pm when the guard opened the gate for police and immediately they entered, they started shooting and I started running because I was afraid. I just woke up in hospital and I had no idea what had happened to me,” said the boy.

Kamanza’s mother Chizi Ngala said she received a call from the Nyumba Kumi village elder informing her that the son had been shot and badly wounded. In a panic, she rushed to take her son to hospital. Ngala said she does not understand why police would resort to shooting at people without a reason or an explanation despite being allowed into the home.

“Why should police shoot at people and end up shooting my son as if he is a criminal?,” said Chizi.

According to the boy’s uncle, Francisco Kauli, Taru police told him they would look into the matter and ensure the boy is attended to. He said police arrived in the area in search of a murder suspect who is alleged to have killed a security guard in Taru.

 STARTED SHOOTING

Kauli said the alleged suspect was standing outside the gate with a group of people. When police arrived at the scene, they started shooting at them and everyone ran away, and that is when his nephew was shot.

Kinango OCPD Julius Mwangi, however, said he could not confirm the incident or comment as he was out of the county on official duty.

“I am out of the county, seek the information and help from above, I am sorry,” said the police boss.