The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has commenced investigations into the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man at the Kiandai shopping centre in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.
IPOA in a statement on Monday, May 20, 2024, said it had begun the investigations as mandated under Cap.86 of the Kenyan constitution.
“IPOA, as mandated under Cap.86 of the laws of Kenya, has begun investigations into the fatal shooting of a youth in Kirinyaga County on Sunday,” the authority said.
IPOA, as mandated under Cap.86 of the laws of Kenya, has begun investigations into the fatal shooting of a youth in Kirinyaga County on Sunday. #GuardingPublicInterestInPolicing #PoliceAccountability ^SC
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) May 20, 2024
Locals went on a rampage following the shooting, calling for an explanation from local authorities after a police officer was implicated in the incident.
Police accused of shooting
Derrick Gachoki was shot dead in the wee hours when police officers who were on patrol arrived at the market centre.
According to one of the deceased’s friends Alex Njeru who spoke to local media, the police arrived at the Kiandai shopping Centre at about 11:00am and started chasing them.
They were playing pool when the police attached to the Kianyaga police station arrived. The officer drew her gun and shot at them after they started running.
Following Derick’s fatal shooting, angry residents together with the deceased’s family members stormed the Kianyaga police station demanding for an explanation.
This led to the arrest of the police officer accused of committing the incident.
Kirinyaga Police Commander Andrew Naibei confirmed that a female police officer from Kianyaga police station had been arrested and further vowed that he would ensure the deceased’s family gets justice.
“Police officers were on patrol last night when the incident happened and right now we have launched an investigation to see the family get justice,” Naibei told the media on Sunday.
Leaders demand justice
Local political leaders have joined the area residents in demanding justice for the deceased’s family.
Baragwi MCA David Mathenge questioned whether playing pool had become illegal in his ward.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has said officials of the Limuru III Conference have agreed to set up a team of lawyers to represent the victims of shootings in Mt Kenya.
Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Monday, May 20, 2024, Kioni said poor people are facing atrocity and a team of lawyers will be on standby to defend them.
“Out of our Limuru III we said we will put together lawyers who will always be available to defend our people because there is quite some atrocity that has been occasioned on the poor,” Kioni said.
Two people were shot on Friday, May 17, in Thika when supporters of area MP Alice Ng’ang’a and those of Kamenu MCA Peter Mburu clashed.
Derick died after sustaining serious head injuries, He had completed his secondary education in 2023 and was staying with his grandmother Jane Muthoni at the time of his demise.
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