Police on the spot over killings during Kasarani protests

Police are once again on the spot over claims of extra-judicial killings and brutality while handling protesters.

The men in uniform are accused of fatally shooting several people during demonstrations by residents of Kasarani estate who have been protesting the poor state of the Kasarani — Mwiki Road.

While the number of fatalities in the incident remains unconfirmed, on Thursday Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja alluded to the killings terming the incident as unfortunate.

“It is unfortunate that we had to lose lives in Kasarani,” said Sakaja following a meeting with the area leadership, the matatu SACCOS, security agencies and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

A family in Mwiki says police officers, who had been deployed to contain the protests, brutally murdered their 17-year-old son who concluded his secondary school education last year.

According to local residents, the deceased identified as Stephen knelt down to beg for mercy from the police but they fired at him, shooting him in the chest.

Stephen’s mother says her son was on his way to work when he met with the officers who shot him.

“Alikua katika harakati zake kuelekea kibarua kidogo ambayo alipata ya kujimudu baada ya kumaliza shule. Akielekea kwa kazi yake ndio alipatana na risasi ambayo ilimpiga kifua,” said Esther Njuguna.

Police have confirmed that one person was killed and seven including five police officers were injured in the violence that ensued between demonstrators and security officers Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, Senator Sakaja has assured that repairs on the dilapidated Kasarani–Mwiki road that led to the protests had began immediately.

“Brought together the area leadership, the matatu SACCOS, the security agencies and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and made sure the situation is normalized. Contractor is on site as we speak and operations are on,” said the Senator in a tweet.

Sakaja further said that the national government has committed an extra Ksh.1.7 billion to sort out other bad roads in Nairobi.

“We have also received commitment for an extra Ksh.1.7 billion from the National Government to sort out other roads in Nairobi that are in a poor state following the rains. The Nairobi County Government must also step in and address the roads within their mandate,” he added.