Kegonga residents protest death of teacher allegedly shot by police

Kegonga residents in Kuria East sub-County on December 26, 2023, demonstrated and blocked the road in protest of the alleged killing of a teacher by police on the night of Christmas. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

Residents of Kegonga town in Kuria East Sub-County have protested the death of a primary school teacher who was allegedly shot by police officers in plain uniform on Christmas night.

The angry residents blocked the Kegonga-Kehancha road using boulders and lit bone fires as they threatened to attack Kuria East Police Station.

The protestors engaged police in running battles as teargas canisters were used to disperse them.

Samuel Mwita, a witness, claimed they had come from a bar at 9 pm with the deceased and were heading home when the police allegedly shot the teacher.

 “The police came and attacked us on our way home. The man and his brother were on a motorcycle and I was walking. They shot the man on the back,” he said.

Mwita claimed that police had been chasing and beating up people who were walking along the road and arresting them.

He claimed that they had arrested the brother of the deceased but later released him.

Samuel Chacha accused the police of harassing them.

“We are aggrieved by what has happened. We want justice,” Chacha said.

Migori County Commander Francis Nguli said they have launched their investigations into the matter and would take action against anyone responsible for the shooting.