KISUMU Kenya May 9 -A Form Two student was on Monday May 9 shot dead by police while three others were seriously injured in Kisumu during a confrontation between the officers and matatu operators.
Jecinter Achieng Ochieng 19, and a student at Rang’ala Girls High school in Siaya County was shot as she was on her way to buy some items before reporting back to school.
The Kisumu County police commander Alphonse Wambua confirmed the fatal shooting and the injuries, adding that investigations into the incident had commenced.
He however said they were yet to get the proper details about what transpired.
Reports indicate the Traffic officer were pursuing a matatu driver over an alleged traffic offence.
Trouble started when the officers who were pursuing a public service vehicle threw spikes on reaching the Jua Kali area but the matatu driver failed to stop.
The officers then lobbed teargas canisters and allegedly fired live bullets hitting three pedestrians.
According to the police and eyewitnesses, three other people sustained gunshot injuries and are fighting for their lives at the Kisumu County Hospital and at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Charles Amollo, a brother-in-law of the deceased said she was staying with the girl adding that she was to report back to school on Tuesday.
The incident has widely condemned following preliminary reports that the officers could have used excessive force.
Though police officers are generally allowed to use reasonable force when arresting suspects, the law clearly states that nothing should justify the use of greater force than is reasonable or necessary.
Use of force, especially to effect an arrest, is usually deemed “excessive” when the actions are unnecessarily aggressive or confrontational when lesser actions may have been appropriate in resolving the situation.
In most cases, police officers are advised to use the minimum force necessary to diffuse a situation, even if it would take longer.
The amount of force officers can use at the time of arrest should be determined by a number of factors including the seriousness of the offence, whether the suspect poses a threat to the officers or any other member of the public or when he or she attempts to escape to evade arrest.
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