Fresh details surrounding the tragic death of a 17-year old boy in Majengo who was reportedly shot in the head by a police officer, an incident that triggered deadly protests, have now emerged.
According to human rights activist Hussein Khalid, the boy was shot by a police officer on Tuesday at around 8:30 pm while coming from night prayers at the mosque. Despite being rushed to Kenyatta Hospital, the boy succumbed to his injuries hours later.
As per the boy’s mother, the police officer scaled a wall, came to the road where the boy was, and started shooting. Unfortunately, the boy met his death when the officer shot him in the head, resulting in him falling down on the spot.
His death has led to protests in Majengo with a group of angry youth setting a police vehicle on fire this morning.
In videos and images seen by Kenyans.co.ke, a billowing cloud of fire emanated from some buildings although we could not establish whether they were administrative offices or police houses.
Since the alleged murder took place, enraged residents took to the streets, demanding accountability from those responsible.
Shortly after the protests broke out, Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan condemned the killing and demanded the Independent Oversight Policing Authority (IPOA) to conduct investigations and bring the officer to book.
Hassan further stressed the urgent need for accountability and justice within the National Police Service.
“The senseless killing of a 17-year-old youth with disabilities is a tragedy that deeply saddens and angers me. I strongly condemn the murder, (in which the boy) was shot in the head by a police officer in Majengo yesterday evening and died shortly after being taken to the hospital. His life, full of potential, was cruelly cut short,” Hassan stated.
“I demand a swift and thorough investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) into this horrific act. The officer responsible must be apprehended and held accountable for his actions,” he averred.
On Wednesday morning, police were deployed to the area to calm the situation and lobbed tear gas at the protesting youths, but tensions remained high.
Reports from social justice centres have revealed that three more people have reportedly been injured as police officers continue efforts to disperse the rowdy crowds.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that an administrative office was also destroyed by the angry youths.
The riots came at a time when Kenya is already grappling with the effects of suspected extrajudicial killings in the region.
