IPOA launch probe after police officer allegedly fatally shot student in Nakuru
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the shooting of two high school students by an alleged senior police officer in Nakuru.
Whitney Anyango, 19, was fatally injured in the incident that left her fighting for her life.
Through a press release, IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori said they have launched speedy investigations into the matter.
“This is informed by Section 7 (a)(x) of IPOA Act which dictates that deaths and injuries occasioned by actions of the police be investigated by the Authority, and Section 5 of the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service Act which compels the police to report all deaths, serious injury and other grave consequences on the Authority for investigations,” Makori said.
Makori further revealed that the IPOA team has since interviewed some witnesses and contacted police officers including commanders with the aim of obtaining the required information.
This according to IPOA will help the team unravel the circumstances of the incident.
“Where criminal culpability is established, the Authority shall make recommendations, including but not limited to prosecution,” she added.
The Nakuru family is now crying for justice after their daughter was killed by a police stray bullet.
According to close sources, Whitney Atieno was shot in the stomach after stepping out to visit his favourite salon.
It has been revealed that the stray bullet hit Atieno in the chest and exited from behind, and hit Waithera in the arm.
She was a Form 4 student at Nakuru Central Secondary School and at the time of the incident, the deceased was in the company of her friend, Ruth Waithera, 18.
Atieno died while receiving treatment at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital while Waithera’s hand is being operated on and is in a stable condition.
In the incident that sparked protests in Nakuru yesterday, Bondeni OCS Eric Wekesa has been accused of misusing his firearm.
The police boss was reportedly leading a team of officers on patrol in Flamingo Ward to weed out criminal gangs when a stand-off ensued after officers rounded up a group of youths alleged to be gang members.
During the incident, the OCS is alleged to have drawn his pistol after the group started charging toward them demanding the release of those arrested and, in the process, firing a shot that wounded Ruth Waithera’s arm before hitting Anyango in the stomach.
Incidents of stray bullets hitting innocent Kenyans have been on the rise in the past even as Independent Policing Oversight Authority, IPOA, continues with investigations to exonerate or prosecute police officers who fire indiscriminately.
The police, have in the past got into trouble with Kenyans after they handled an otherwise calm situation with excessive force leading to loss of lives or injuries to people.
