Azimio wants killer officer held as student buried

Police disperse rioting Maseno University students who were on the streets protesting over the death of their fellow student who was allegedly shot and killed by police during the Azimio protest. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja leaders have called for the arrest of the police officer who opened fire at protestors, killing a Maseno University student.

Speaking at the burial of William Mayienga in Tombe, Kitutu Masaba in Nyamira, the leaders urged the government to ensure the officer is prosecuted.

The 21-year-old was shot dead by police officers who were dispersing demonstrators during anti-government protests in Kisumu.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga, in his condolence message delivered to the family by Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, called for justice for the third-year student of English Language and Literature, whom he termed as a peaceful Kenyan who was expressing his rights.

"Just like many Kenyans, we are angry and stunned by the killing of this innocent university student who would have been in class now, studying for his exams," he said.

Raila assured the family that Azimio would follow up on the case and ensure the killer officer is punished.

"The police do not need any investigations to get the killer officer because the shooting happened in broad daylight. Onlookers and Mayienga's colleagues saw it happen and they know who opened fire on the students," the Azimio leader said.

Raila reiterated that Azimio leaders will not relent in their quest to have the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission open the servers to allow the audit of last year's August 9 General Election.

"We have not withdrawn our demand for the opening of the servers to confirm the true outcome of the August 2022 presidential elections," said Prof Nyong'o.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati told the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to move with speed.

"We will not rest until such a time when all the officers who killed Kenyans who were demonstrating peacefully in various parts of the country are all arrested and charged before the courts of law," he said.

Parents of the late Mayienga said they were disturbed by his sudden demise.

"Leaders who celebrated in public the killing and destruction of human life are doomed. God doesn't rejoice in such a person who uses his name to propagate injustice on his creation," his father, Joash Bangi, told mourners.

"It's barbaric for the police to harass everybody rising for their constitutional right of protesting. We cannot stand the ill intention the Kenya Kwanza Government has of silencing voices of freedom. It's taking us back to the old days," added ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire.