Six injured as police open fire during demo

Laisamis, Kenya: Six people were injured after a police officer reportedly opened fire at a crowd protesting the arrest of a man who had recently been involved in a fight.

Lawrence Lerapo, a Standard Eight pupil at Laisamis Primary School, and a Standard Seven pupil only identified as Lewangat from Mercy Primary School, also in Laisamis, were wounded in the shooting.

Others were a Form Four leaver only identified as Lelewa, who was bleeding as he was taken to the Catholic Hospital in Laisamis. An old woman, referred to as Mama Chapo and a man, Taraiya, were  also shot. Among the injured were two pupils.

“Laisamis residents were protesting peacefully demanding the release of the man because the protagonists who fought at a wedding two weeks ago had reconciled,” said a local journalist on telephone.

Referred

Freelance journalist Kanzian Lekuton told The Standard on Sunday that the injured were referred to Meru Level Five hospital.

“They are on their way to Meru, but there is a possibility they will be taken to Wamba Mission Hospital before they are moved to Meru because of their condition,” said Lekuton.

Area DC Mutuku Mwenga reportedly addressed the charged crowd after the incident and convinced locals to disperse.

Mwenga refused to comment on the incident when The Standard on Sunday called him last evening. “Speak to the OCS,” he said.

Sources said the officer who was manning the Meru-Marasabit-Moyale road during the incident had been moved to Laisamis Police Station where he was being held.