A family in Maweni, Kilifi County, is reeling from grief after the tragic death of a 17-year-old who was allegedly shot by police while attending a wedding.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 26, when the young man reportedly suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
According to local residents, the shooting took place at a wedding venue during a police raid on the event.
The victim’s father recounted the distressing details, stating that his son was enjoying the celebration with friends when police entered the scene.
“My child had attended a wedding, and while he was playing with his friends, the police stormed in. As they tried to escape, an officer singled him out and shot him,” he explained.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the boy was shot from behind, with the bullet piercing his lung before exiting through the front.
As the family grapples with their loss, community members are vocal in their belief that the teenager fell victim to police brutality.
“There are claims that the children attempted to flee from the police, but I don’t believe that.
The officers were not there to maintain order; they came with aggression, looking for a fight,” one resident asserted.
The reasons behind the police raid at the wedding remain unclear, and law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed the shooting.
In response to the incident, the human rights organization HAKI Africa has urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A representative for HAKI Africa questioned the necessity of using live ammunition, stating, “We demand that IPOA look into the motives behind this tragic shooting.”
Concerns regarding police brutality have intensified in recent months, with many Kenyans criticizing law enforcement for their excessive use of force.
In July, advocacy groups condemned police actions amid anti-Finance Bill protests that led to numerous abductions and fatalities.
Additionally, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global media rights watchdog, condemned the Kenyan police for their violent treatment of journalists covering these demonstrations.
