NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun, 3 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has kicked off investigations following the killing of four people in Masimba, Kajiado county allegedly at the hands of police officers.
According to preliminary reports, the four were gunned down during the demonstrations at the Masimba trading Center with police said to have opened fire at the protesters.
Health officials at the Makindu hospital meanwhile said that seven other people have been admitted and are receiving treatment following the Thursday incident.
“IPOA yesterday learnt of the deaths of four people and injury to others when the Police allegedly opened fire on demonstrating members of the public in Kajiado County,” read part of the statement.
A Rapid Response Team from IPOA has been dispatched to the area with instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In line with the provisions of the IPOA Act Section 7 (a)(x), which dictates that deaths and injuries occasioned by actions of the police be investigated by the Authority, and Section 5 of the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service Act which compels the police to report all deaths, serious injury and other grave consequences to the Authority for investigations, a Rapid Response Team was this morning 3 rd June 2022 dispatched with instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling the circumstances surrounding the incident,”
The authority is expected to make recommendations after the conclusion of the investigations which is not limited to the prosecution of the officers involved.
Residents told Shahidi News that the protests ensued after a teacher was allegedly killed by an elephant and though several efforts had been made to address the issue through relevant authorities little or no action was taken.
Mashuru police boss Charles Chepkong’a confirmed the demise of the four people.
In recent months residents have protested to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) over the increased cases of human-wildlife conflict that has also resulted in the damage of property.
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