NAKURU, Kenya, Sept 25 – Days after a 24 year old fisherman was shot dead by an officer from the Kenya Coast Guard Service in Lake Naivasha sparking off mass protests in the area, leaders are now demanding that officers implicated in the killing are withdrawn from their posts forthwith.
In a meeting with residents from Karagita estate,area leaders said that an innocent life was lost yet officers accused of the killing continue to remain in office.
“We are deeply perturbed by the killing of the young man and the presence of the Coast guards and we want all those arrested set free. I will seek a statement from the Ministry of Interior over the killing and the presence of the security officers in the lake,” Said Naivasha Mp Jane Kihara.
“This is neo-colonialism that has been introduced through the back door and we shall not sit back as our people continue to suffer,” Said Naivasha East MP Stanley Karanja.
They further called on relevant agencies to involve local leaders in the process of issuing licenses to fishermen saying the exercise has been marred with alleged irregularities that have hurt locals seeking to make a decent living.
Violent protest have plagued the area days after the killing with property worth millions being destroyed and even looted.
Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mutua Kisilu however said that the guards would continue to operate in the area.
“We condemn the killing of the youth on Tuesday but I do not see any foreseeable chance of the government withdrawing the security officers from the lake. Youth need to form groups which would be licensed once vetting is conducted,.” he said.
Chaos broke out in Karagita on September 22,2021 after an officer from the Kenya Coast Guard Service shot dead a ‘foot-fisherman’ sparking off mass protests.
The incident occurred at the Karagita landing beach in Naivasha, Nakuru county.
Transport was paralyzed for hours after residents blocked the Moi South Lake road. According to preliminary reports, the deceased identified as 24-year-old Samuel Mwangi was shot on the chest.
“We are keen to have sustainable fishing in the lake by addressing the issue of illegal fishing but we should not use excessive force on the suspects,” Said Jane Njeri, a witness to the incident.
The protesters who torched a bus during the melee faulted officers from the coast guard patrolling the lake for using excessive force.
Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mutua Kisilu confirmed the incident, saying that the matter has since been handed over to the area DCI offices as events that lead to the tragic killing remaining unclear.
“We have been forced to get more anti-riot officers to deal with the youths who burnt a bus and have now moved from the main road into the estate. Information coming from the Coast Guards is that the youths attacked them and tried to burn their boat and in the process one of them was shot dead. ” Said Kisilu.
The deceased’s mother however accused the officers of killing his son under the guise of pursuing illegal fishermen.
Another fisherman’s body was recovered in the lake last week and later said to have drowned after being chased by officers patrolling the lake in Kasarani area. He is alleged to have been an illegal fisherman.
The officers involved in the incident have been summoned to record their statements.
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