Standard 7 boy shot dead by police in Mwingi

A Standard 7 pupil from Tyaa Primary School in Mwingi Central was allegedly  shot dead by police over a sand harvesting dispute on Thursday.

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Munyoki, who died while being rushed to Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, was allegedly shot on his right thigh by an administration police based at Kabati in Kitui during a scuffle between a group of sand loaders and administration police officers.

The police had accompanied county government officers on a mission to arrest the sand harvesters in the area.

According to Kanginga Village residents, the deceased was with his peers at a nearby stream when the incident occurred.

Speaking to Citizen Digital at the scene of the crime, John Kisimbe, a resident who is also a distant relative of the deceased said the officers fired four times but the boy was shot twice on the right leg and the left hand.

Confirming the incident, area police boss Gerald Barasa said the two officers reported the matter at Kabati Police Station, which is 100 kilometers from the scene.

The police boss added that investigations into the matter have been launched and those found culpable will be arrested.

Esther Wambua,STyaa Primary school’s head teacher told Citizen Digital that the sand harvesting business which is illegal has had negative effects on learning in the institution, which is one of the oldest schools in the former Kitui District.