Students strike after police vehicle knocks down three students, killing one

Lwala Mixed Secondary School students lead protests against the death of three learners. The three were reportedly knocked down by a police vehicle. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

Students from Lwala Mixed Secondary School in Uriri Sub-County are appealing for justice after a police vehicle knocked down three learners, killing one on the spot.

The police vehicle was reportedly chasing a motorcycle carrying bhang before it lost control and ran over the students.

Moments after the incident, angry students barricaded Uriri-Awendo road with stones and pelted police vehicles with stones.

Transport along the road was paralyzed for several hours as residents joined the students in protest against the police.

Euncie Awino, a passenger, said they had to follow Oyani route for them to reach Migori town as the road was completely impassable.

"The Matatu I was in had to find a longer route since the road was completely blocked with stones as the students and residents made sure that no vehicle could pass," she said.

The students and residents also attacked Uriri AP police line as they bayed for the blood of the police vehicle's driver.

It forced police who went to calm down the situation to lobby teargas canisters and fire in the air to disperse the students and residents who were now beating up the driver.

They had also engaged police in running battles that lasted for two hours as overwhelmed police from Uriri headquarters called for reinforcement from Migori town.

According to eyewitnesses, the police vehicle was parked by the road where there was a roadblock when a motorcycle, which they suspected was carrying bhang passed without stopping for a check.

A pursuit ensued as the officers sought to nab the boda boda operator.

"We heard a loud bang, and when we looked, four had been knocked and were lying on the ground," Jackson Ouma said.

Witnesses said police officers at a roadblock along the busy Migori-Kisii highway are said to have tried to stop a motorbike rider believed to be transporting bhang and gave a chase.

"We want to know if traffic rules only apply for common wananchi and not the police as the students were walking on a wide road when they were run over by the police vehicle," said Walter Nyambogo, a teacher at Lwala Mixed Secondary School.

According to a report by police, the accident happened at 6am where the four, a woman and the three students were knocked down by a Probox.

A student who was walking to school died as a result of the accident.

The deceased was taken to Rapcom hospital in Awendo Sub-County, while two survivors have been hospitalized at Migori County Hospital.

Migori County commander Mark Wanjala denied claims that a police vehicle was involved in the accident.

He claimed they found the Probox hidden near a weighbridge that was being constructed.

According to Mr Wanjala, the bhang suspects had fled with the bhang, leaving the vehicle behind.

The county commander and Uriri DCC Monica Kang'ethe said the incident was unfortunate and they will ensure investigations are carried out.

"We have launched our investigations into the matter," he said.