- Two people were killed and one injured in a clash with Kenya Forest Service officials in the Shinyalu sand harvesting area
- Shinyalu Member of Parliament Fred Ikana condemned the officers for allegedly harassing local residents due to community anger
- Police Commander Daniel Mukumbu vowed to investigate the incident, while also emphasizing the cause of the fierce fighting
Kakamega: Two families from Mukulusu village in Shinyalu are mourning the tragic killing of their relatives following a fierce clash with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officials on Tuesday, January 20.
Source: Facebook
The fight reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over the route a truck carrying sand should take from the harvesting site.
According to Citizen Digital, the three officers who hijacked the truck were on a motorcycle. A resident told the news of the tragic deaths while they were hiding in their houses.
“We heard tear gas, so we decided not to go out. After a while, a young man came and asked us why we were resting in the house while Godfrey Muyonga was dying. When we went there, we found him already dead. My son-in-law, Benedict Lisiekeli, was also killed. He is always a calm person,” Joan Khasiala said.
Another resident sustained serious gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Kakamega County Referral Hospital for immediate treatment.
As the chaos escalated, angry residents set fire to one of the motorcycles.
Did the Shinyalu Member of Parliament condemn the Kakamega killing?
Shinyalu Member of Parliament Fred Ikana condemned the conduct of the officers and accused them of harassing residents frequently.
“We are very sorry. These forest guards have been abusing our citizens from time to time. We urge these officers to do their job properly. They swore to protect the citizens, to protect people and their property. They have no permission to harm the residents in the villages. They did not swear to harm or kill the citizens,” Ikana claimed.
Ikana vowed to support the bereaved families in all funeral arrangements and in seeking justice, while also imploring the authorities to quickly investigate the incident.
Shinyalu sub-county police commander Daniel Mukumbu said that the officers defended themselves after the locals attacked them.
“We are following those who were at fault. If they are KFS officers, they will be prosecuted if they were at fault. If they are citizens who were also at fault, the law will take its course,” said Mukumbu.
CCTV captured a police officer shooting a Karatina businessman
At the same time, the incident happened a few days after the Karatina businessman, George Matheri, was killed at a petrol station by Constable Peter Mwangi with his colleague.
Source: Facebook
According to CCTV footage, Mwangi and Matheri had a brief confrontation a few minutes after 5pm on January 18, which escalated despite efforts by civilians to separate them.
The images captured Matheri leaving the station when the officers arrested and shot him. As residents gathered at the scene, the two officers left without concern.
Mwangi was arrested and brought to court in Nyeri Court amid calls for justice.
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