The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) made the announcement on Tuesday, December 6, that a police officer who was linked to the killing of a student at Machakos University had been apprehended, and that they were awaiting further investigations.
The suspect is accused of gravely hurting a student during the protests on Monday, December 5 against rising cases of insecurity in the neighborhood, according to the investigative unit.
The victim had participated in the protests alongside his colleagues, who were demanding justice for one of their own who had been murdered in a robbery attack.
Business in the area was largely shut down for the entirety of Monday, December 5 due to the protests that took place throughout the day. The incident triggered a response from law enforcement officers who attempted to put a stop to the chaos.
As soon as he was taken into custody, operatives from the DCI began looking into the firearms that had been issued to the police officers who had been involved in dispersing the protesters in an effort to identify the person responsible.
“A total of 9 firearms including 5 pistols, 3 G-3riffles and one AK-47 assault rifle have also been seized from different police officers and they will be subjected to forensic ballistic analysis at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, to scientifically ascertain which firearms were misused when quelling the riotous students,” a statement from the DCI read in part.
The incident had the potential to inflame tensions between the police and students at the schools, who had previously accused the police of abusing their power.
The victim was seriously injured during the protest and was reportedly fighting for his life at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.
In addition, the DCI said that a police officer had been arrested after being linked to a robbery event in which students were the intended victims.
On the morning of Monday, December 5th, the plainclothes officer and an accomplice attacked two students as they were walking to the rental hostels where they were staying.
As a result of one student’s escape and subsequent warning of his classmates, the officer was apprehended.
According to DCI, law enforcement personnel in the area had begun an operation to neutralize the security threats that students of the institution face.
The National Police Service issued a statement urging students to remain calm and committing itself to conducting swift investigations into the shooting.
Greetings, If you want your story to be featured/Advertise on our platform kindly call or text on WhatsApp No +254748483572 or email qwetunews254@gmail.com.
