NAKURU,Kenya, Feb, 17 – Protests rocked Karagita estate in Naivasha after a Kenya Coast Guard Service officer allegedly shot dead a fish trader near the Karagita landing beach off the Moi South Lake road.
According to preliminary reports, the officer is said to have shot the deceased, since identified as Simon Thuku six times following an alleged confrontation.
Hours before traders engaged in running battles with the security officers, resulting in the closure of several shops, the deceased is said to have been purchasing fish from foot fishermen at the site with Naivasha deputy County commissioner Mutua Kisilu who confirmed the incident saying that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have since launched investigations.
“During the confrontation one security officer was injured and one suspect shot dead but police have launched investigations,” said Kisilu.
Residents and traders however refuted the claims saying that the officer was not injured and that the accused approached the deceased before shooting him on the back several times.
“One of the fisheries officers had arrested us before the senior guy from Kenya Coast Guards Service came in and opened fire without any provocation,” said the witness.
Traders further said that the two had known each other and had been involved in a slight argument.
“These officers came in with a good intention but they have turned out to be animals shooting dead and maiming our colleagues and it’s time that they left the lake,” said chairman Lake Naivasha Boat Owners association David Kilo.
Last year a similar incident occurred when a coast guard officer shot dead a foot-fisherman resulting in three days of violent protests.
Investigations into both matters are ongoing.
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