Human rights groups have called upon authorities to suspend the police officer who was involved in the shooting of the Maseno University student Monday, March 20 during the anti-government protest.
Haki Africa and Winam Justice want the interdiction of the officer to pave way for investigation.
Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of Haki Africa, and Fatuma Wambui of Winam Justice Centre allege malice in the conduct of the police over the matter.
“It is wrong for the police to engage protestors in this manner. We are urging IPOA and the internal affairs unit of the National Police Service to move swiftly and ensure police officers involved are suspended from work to pave way for investigations,” Khalid said.
He alleged that some family members of the victims are receiving threats over the matter.
“We would like to remind the police that they are operating under a regime that has pledged to shun extra-judicial killings and end police excesses. We have lost a life and the post-mortem confirmed that the bullet was fired through the neck meaning there was no doubt in the intentions of the person [who fired the shot],” Khalid added.
Police said William Mayange was among a group of students who had joined the Azimio protests which later turned violent after the protesters invaded a supermarket in Maseno town.
The student was shot in the neck and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Coptic hospital where he had been rushed.
Other students denied the claims by police of raiding the supermarket.
Police said the students overpowered the security officers who had run out of teargas canisters.
As a result, police say the student was shot in the neck after the officers started firing live bullets to repulse the intruders who had allegedly invaded the supermarket.
The student’s colleagues have denied the claims.
IG Japhet Koome has pledged to investigate the incident.
