Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika on Thursday, July 2 delivered Deputy President William Ruto's message at a requiem mass held in Nandi County for three victims of reported extra-judicial killings.
Kihika revealed that they had made a phone call to the family at the start of the ceremony, where the Deputy President is said to have sent his condolences and pledged his support.
The Deputy President is also said to have promised to push for justice for the victims, one of whom was a shoe-shiner allegedly shot by a police officer before two more residents of Lessos, Nandi were killed during protests following the shoe shiner's death.
"The Deputy President has sent his condolences to the family, and he has promised to fight and push until justice is found for the victims," she stated.
"He has said he's sorry especially because these men died at the hands of the government through the police. And we've spoken and he agrees it is important to support the family in this time," she stated.
Leaders who spoke at the ceremony demanded that the officers responsible for the deaths of Lazarus Tirop, Timothy Kipkogei and Cornelius Kipyego be arrested, in addition to the government compensating the families.
The shoe-shiner was allegedly shot after refusing to part with a bribe after he was found without a mask.
His death triggered a massive uproar and added to a long list of reported extra-judicial killings during the Covid-19 period, particularly with enforcement of the curfew and other regulations.
Kihika also referenced the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, warning Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai of an uprising.
"I want to tell the Police and the IG, get prepared because we shall not sit and watch you do this to our fellow Kenyans. We will set all the police stations in Kenya on fire if that is what we have to do.
She called out police officers for their role in causing disorder other than maintaining peace. "You cannot use guns because somebody asked you a question," she asserted.
A fund-raiser for the families was led by Nandi Governor Sang' after, with leaders and area residents offering support to the grieving families.
Sang' demanded that the government compensate the grieving families fully as he condemned actions by the police.
"We can't afford to lose lives to government guns and bullets instead of them being used to protect wananchi. We laud the actions already taken against the rogue police officers. We will follow up on the matter until justice is done for the affected families," he asserted.
