Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome has stated that the 9-year-old girl who was shot dead in Mathare was killed by an armed gangster and not police.
Speaking during a rather strange media briefing along the streets of Nairobi on Monday morning, Koome reiterated that his officers had not shot anyone and had handled the tension without using force.
"My officers did not shoot the girl. They were trailing an armed gangster who was firing in all directions and ended up shooting the girl.
"It was very unfortunate," he said.
Mr Koome further stated that the mandate of police was to "ensure life and property are protected at all costs without fear or favour."
Stephanie Moraa was shot dead while playing with other children in Mathare North Area 2 in Nairobi County.
A witness, who displayed a spent cartridge, said police used live bullets to disperse demonstrators and ended up shooting the girl who was playing on a balcony.
“She was playing with other children on the balcony when she fell to the floor and laid motionless. She has a bullet hole in the chest…and there are bullet marks on the wall,” said Jane Misori, the girl’s aunt.
Koome added that the police only used firearms on armed gangs and had not shot any innocent citizens.
"We have only used firearms on armed gangs that have been attacking Nairobi residents," he said, adding that they had not sought reinforcement from the military.
