Family seeks justice for kin shot by a police officer

A family in Nakuru is seeking justice after their kin was allegedly shot in the stomach by a police officer on Sunday night.

The incident sparked outrage among boda boda riders on Tuesday, who blocked a road in London Estate to demand justice for Felix Lung'ayia, a fellow boda boda operator.

Lung’ayia told The Standard from his home where he is recuperating that at around 10pm on Sunday, he got two pillion passengers to ferry to Nakuru Prison.

On the way, he saw a crowd on the roadside, and out of curiosity, tried to inquire what was happening only for police officers to lob teargas to disperse the crowd. 

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“At that moment I was still in shock, the crowd dispersed, with only two of us remaining. I don't know the other person's name, but the police handcuffed him and boarded my motorcycle requesting I take them to Gioto Police Post,” he said.

Without knowing what was awaiting him, Lung’ayia rode towards Gioto's direction. At Rubis Petrol Station within Landon estate, he requested the officers to allow him hand over keys to his wife who was in the house, about 500 meters from the road.

As he walked towards home, he heard a loud bang and felt a sharp pain in the back. He realised he was shot when he saw blood oozing from his stomach.

"I fell on a small banana crop some 100 metres from my house. One of the police officers came and stood over me as I was writhing in pain," he recalled.

He said the officer just stared at him and then walked away, leaving him to die. “I gathered all my strength and staggered into my house. My wife called neighbours who took me to Nakuru Level 5 Hospital,” he said.

In hospital, Lung'ayia learned that the police were pursuing a criminal who had allegedly stolen a motorcycle.

He was treated under police custody and on Monday he was discharged and taken to Kaptembwo Police Station where he was locked up.

Police were forced to release him after boda boda operators demonstrated on Tuesday. His only hope is that the officer who shot him be held accountable and justice be served.

“I want justice, now I'm nursing a bullet wound which will take time for me to recover. Police failed to give me my medical report, and I’m confined to this chair hoping to recover and continue with my work,” Lung’ayia said.

George Owino, chairperson London Motorcycle Association is now demanding justice after the shooting.

Lung’ayia’s mother Josphine Barongo also called on the Independent Police Oversight Authority to investigate the matter. “My son is innocent. The police shot him without any reason,” she said.

IPOA regional manager Josephat Kaimenyi said the report was recorded on Tuesday by Kaptembwa OCS. He said they are investigating the matter.

He said they are trying to get in touch with the family to secure a cartridge for ballistic.