Boy shot dead as police break witch hunt

By KENNEDY OKWACH

Butere, Kenya: A 14-year-old boy was killed in Mabole village of Butere constituency after allegedly being hit by a stray bullet as police attempted to disperse a mob.

The mob was on a revenge mission in which they set ablaze five houses, slaughtered animals and destroyed property belonging to a man who is suspected to have been practising witchcraft.

The suspect was rescued by police officers in the ensuing confrontation as the rowdy mob bayed for his blood for allegedly causing the recent death of a villager.

Tragedy occurred when villagers at the burial of Francis Kuya, who is alleged to have been bewitched by the suspect, started protesting against police for “protecting the suspect’s home” which was nearby. Police had to shoot into the air to disperse the stone-throwing demonstrators. Police said one of the bullets killed the Standard Six pupil.

“A demonstrator hit an officer with a stone and when the officer stood up, he aimed at the man who dodged the bullet hence hitting the boy on the chest,” claimed Sarah Musheni.

No reports

The suspect reportedly bewitched Kuya after a long battle over land.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya condemned the excessive use of force by the police on demonstrators and called for investigation. “After seeing the mood of the mourners, I advised the police to withdraw and take the suspect and his family away until all cultural ceremonies are concluded but they refused,” he said.

Butere OCPD Josephine Ngetich exonerated police from any blame and said when they evacuated the suspect’s family from the scene there were no reports of any killing.

She said police were sent to offer protection to the suspect but the mourners became violent forcing police to use teargas to disperse them. “We later safely rescued the suspect and we left. We were not aware of the death. In fact we received the report three hours later,” she said.

The OCPD said they would launch investigations after autopsy report is released.