A form three student was on Sunday, June 4, 2023, shot and killed while protesting outside Kenya Power offices in Wajir town.
Police and witnesses said the student, identified as Manaazil Adow Ahmed, was among locals who were protesting against persistent power blackouts in Wajir town.
The protesters are said to have accessed the local Kenya Power offices and vandalized property before anti-riot police arrived to disperse them.
It was during the melee that the form three student was shot and killed.
Police said the protests became violent and rowdy prompting them to use force to restore order.
Leaders in Wajir condemned police brutality following the death of the student.
Wajir West Member of Parliament (MP) Yusuf Farah Muliro and his Wajir South counterpart Mohamed Adow demanded justice for the slain student.
“The people were protesting against persistent power blackouts and instead of them getting help, they were shot at by police. This is wrong. We have to get a power supply because we all pay taxes. No excuse,” Wajir West MP said.
He further called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the shooting and take necessary action.
Wajir South MP on his part insisted that locals have the right to picket as enshrined in the constitution.
“The people of Wajir have every right to peacefully protest the power blackout. I am with the people on this. We’ve been told lies for far too long,” Adow said.
