Angry residents in Nyamira County have burned down the Itibo Police Station after a student was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer on Tuesday, July 9.
Reports indicate that the deceased was a student at Nyamira National Polytechnic and had joined a group of demonstrators protesting against poor infrastructure in the region.
The protesters were demanding improvements to local roads and the installation of proper street lighting for better security.
The incident took place at Itibo Market, where the student was reportedly shot during the protest. This act triggered public outrage, leading to retaliatory action by the demonstrators who set the Itibo Police Station on fire.
A photo obtained by Newshub.co.ke shows the station completely burned down, with extensive damage and property worth an unknown amount destroyed in the fire.
As of now, the identity of the student and the exact circumstances that led to the fatal shooting remain unclear. It is also not yet confirmed what sparked the confrontation between the police and the protestors.
This incident mirrors other similar episodes witnessed in different parts of the country in recent weeks. For instance, the Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County was torched on July 3 during the funeral procession of Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang had earlier been arrested and booked at the same station on June 7 before being transferred to Central Police Station.
During the funeral procession, mourners carried Ojwang’s body to the police station as a symbolic act. They were seen running and chanting traditional dirges, which are often performed to drive away evil spirits that could disturb the dead.
However, what began as a ritual soon escalated into chaos, resulting in the destruction of the station by fire.
Another police station, Ndunyu Njeru in Nyandarua County, was also torched by angry residents on June 27. According to police reports, the incident occurred after a man was allegedly shot and killed by officers during a violent protest against rampant cattle theft in the area.
Eyewitnesses say that the protest started peacefully but turned violent when police tried to disperse the crowd. This led to a confrontation that ended with fatal gunfire and the mob setting the station ablaze.
These repeated incidents highlight growing tensions between communities and law enforcement officers, especially in cases involving alleged police brutality. Many Kenyans have raised concerns over the excessive use of force by the police, particularly during protests.
Calls for police reform and accountability have intensified as more communities express their anger through demonstrations and acts of destruction.
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