The family of two brothers is demanding justice after the duo was shot dead at close range during the ongoing crackdown against Nakuru gangs.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, July 20, the sister to the deceased, Kevin Kipyegon and Dennis Kipchirchir, claimed that they were among the four individuals executed by the police on the night of Thursday, July 14.
She appealed to law enforcement officers to act within the Constitution of the land when pursuing suspected criminal gang members instead of executing them in cold blood.
"Kevin and Dennis are my younger brothers were shot dead. We still do not know the reason (for the execution). I plead with the government to follow the law when apprehending suspects," she stated.
An autopsy released on Wednesday showed that the four suspects had bullet wounds and did not exhibit any use of force or sign of handcuffs suggesting an arrest by the police.
The autopsy, however, showed that that all the four suspects were shot at close range attracting criticism from human rights groups.
HAKI Africa Executive Director, Hussein Khalid, called on the police to follow the law in their pursuit to end the gang culture wreaking havoc in Nakuru County.
"We fully support the fight against crime. We fully support the fight against security. No one wants any group of criminals running around attacking women and killing them. But the manner in which you fight insecurity cannot be through cold-blooded executions," Khalid explained.
Nakuru Police Commander Peter Mwanzo, who is spearheading the crackdown, however, defended his police officers maintaining that the operation was lawful.
"We are going to do exactly what we are supposed to do and we are we are going to operate within law. It is as simple as that.
"Anyone making noise regarding this maybe requires some investigations. They could be equally benefitting from the proceeds of this criminality," he retaliated.
Over the last month, the police have mounted an operation in Nakuru County after a spate of killings that targeted women.
Mwanzo was recently moved from Nairobi's Kasarani area to Nakuru, and was tasked with containing the gangs.
