Standard 6 boy shot by police during land protests

KILIFI, Kenya, Nov, 19 – A standard 6 boy was  shot by police on Thursday during protests by members of the community over a dispute on the ownership of a parcel of land in Furunzi area in Malinda.

The boy sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg.

The afternoon incident saw Mbaga Mlewa, a standard six boy in Maziwani primary school shot,  as police fired live bullets in an attempt to disperse the agitated locals.

“We were just protesting and we were not violent. At first, they fired three shots. Later when more police officers came, people started scampering for safety,” a resident said.

“They did not fire the live bullets in the air, they fired directly aiming at protesters. ”

The injured boy was rushed to Malindi hospital where doctors said he is in stable condition.

Malindi police commander Joel Lekuta confirmed the incident and told Shahid News that, “We have launched investigations into the incident and we will notify you of any developments.”

Residents accused a wealthy businessman in the area of allegedly colluding with police to muzzle residents protesting over the grabbing of the land.

“This man is working with police, his disregard for the law has now resulted to a young boy being shot. We will not have it,” said a resident.

Investigations are ongoing.