Governor Nyong’o demands prosecution of cop who shot dead varsity student during demos
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the police officer responsible for the shooting and subsequent death of a third-year Maseno University student.
The student was shot in the neck during the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations in Maseno on Monday, March 20.
The student was rushed to Coptic Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
In a statement released by the Governor, he condemned the police officer for shooting the literature student without any lawful cause.
Nyong’o referred to the incident as a “cold-blooded murder” and criticized the police for using live ammunition instead of tear gas or rubber bullets to disperse the students.
“As we send condolence messages to the family of the slain student and the Maseno University fraternity, we demand that the police officer who fired the killer bullet be arrested and prosecuted as soon as possible,” he said.
According to a police report, the student protestors invaded the Sairam supermarket in Maseno town, as well as other business premises along Kisumu-Busia road, before lighting bonfires and barricading stones along the road.
The report further indicated that the protestors overpowered the officers who were manning the station after the officers ran out of tear gas canisters and blanks.
The police report stated that six police officers were injured during the skirmishes, which prompted the officers who had been sent out to quell the intruders to fire live bullets.
Consequently, the third-year student was hit on the neck and rushed to Coptic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Nyong’o expressed his condolences to the family of the slain student and the Maseno University fraternity. He also urged the police to exhibit professionalism and restraint while quelling riots instead of using brutality on unarmed protestors.
“It is unfortunate that instead of using tear gas or rubber bullets, the police chose to fire live ammunition at the students,” he said.