A family in Thika, Kiambu county is demanding for justice, after their kin was allegedly killed by the police under unclear circumstances.
The grief-stricken family claims that 22-year-old George Kimani Irungu, who was gunned down on Tuesday November 15, was an innocent civilian on his way home from work when was shot a few metres from Thika fire station.
The fateful incident happened in the wake of an intensified crackdown by police across the country determined to tame the rising cases of crime.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), police officers spotted Kimani in the company of two other accomplices attacking people along Cascade Premier prison road in Thika town.
Police who have strongly defended their actions, stated that the deceased was a criminal on a rampage and that he fired at them while resisting arrest, prompting them to fire back in self-defence.
"The deafening response sent the remaining machete wielding duo who were also armed with a homemade firearm fleeing, prompting a chase that lasted a few minutes as the determined officers gave chase closely behind," DCI explained in a statement.
The family contradicted the police claiming that their kin was not a criminal, calling for justice to be served.
Maureen Wanjiru, a sister to the deceased, disputed the police report, as she recounted how she was shock-stricken after receiving the disturbing news.
Kimani's father, Peter Irungu also painfully narrated about the heart wrenching phone call he received from a friend.
Kiambu Deputy County Commissioner revealed that police acted on a tip off from members of the public.
One of the accomplices was cornered and arrested amid the fracas, while the other managed to escape.
Two machetes, a homemade firearm, and mobile phones believed to have been stolen were recovered from the scene, and a motorbike with no registration plates was impounded.
Security chiefs led by Interior Cabinet Secretary have vowed to contain the situation, as criminals continue to run the show in various parts of the country.
