Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo orders probe into athlete’s killing

By Edwin Cheserek

Uasin Gishu, Kenya: Inspector General (IG) of police David Kimayo has ordered a probe into the alleged killing of an upcoming athlete by the police in Eldoret.

Mr Kimaiyo has ordered for quick investigations into the killing of Dennis Kipruto Kirwa who was allegedly unlawfully executed by the police.

The IG intervened over the case after the family protested that police had plotted to frustrate their efforts to seek justice.

On Thursday morning, the police who had distanced themselves from the case asked the family to visit Kapsoya police station where they promised to take it up.

“The IG has stepped in and has ordered our bosses to expedite investigations into the killing,” one of the officers who cannot be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed.

Police are said to have been called to thwart a robbery incident that was about to be staged along Eldoret-Iten road when they caught up with Kirwa. “He was ordered to kneel down but refused because police did not tell him the offence he had committed. They (Police) shot him in the stomach and he fell down,” said a witness.

Two escaped

During the incident, two robbers complied with the law enforcers’ orders and were arrested while two others managed to escape.

Police took Kirwa to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Kirwa’s elder brother Philip Chebunet, a lecturer at Maasai Mara University, said the family started looking for him when he did not return from his training.

It was after the endless search that the family decided to look for him in mortuaries and they finally found him.

Eldoret East OCPD Nelson Taliti denied claims that Kirwa was shot accidentally saying he was part of the gang.