The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into a shooting incident of a student at Machakos University.
In a statement shared via their official Twitter account, IPOA announced that they have dispatched a rapid response team to the scene of crime with specific instructions that they obtain all information that may assist in the investigation.
The agency also appealed to students to maintain calm and allow room for investigations.
“We appeal to the students and residents to maintain calm and allow the due process of the law to take its course. IPOA remains committed to being independent, impartial and fair,” the statement reads in parts.
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“Where fault is found, the authority shall make recommendations, including but not limited to prosecution,”
IPOA launches probe into the shooting incident of a university student in Machakos County. ^FN pic.twitter.com/IPC3E3rxn6
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) December 6, 2022
What happened
The student who is currently nursing serious injuries was allegedly shot by police corporal Michael Mulwa during demonstrations staged by students at the Machakos-based university to protest against increasing cases of insecurity on Monday, December 5, 2022.
“The student who is currently fighting for his life at the Machakos level 5 hospital, is suspected to have been part of a group of students that had engaged police officers in running battles for the better part of the day,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said in a statement on Tuesday, December 6.
Protests erupted at the varsity after one of the students attacked recently by thugs succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
DCI confirmed that investigations were ongoing to nail other officers believed to have misused their guns during the operation to quell the riots.
The directorate said nine firearms have been seized from the officers for ballistic examination.
“A total of 9 firearms including 5 pistols, 3 G-3riffles and one AK-47 assault rifles have also been seized from different police officers and they will be subjected to forensic ballistic analysis at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, to scientifically ascertain which firearms were misused when quelling the riotous students,” DCI added.
Last Friday, 14 robbery with violence suspects linked to the spate of robberies mostly targeting university students living outside the campus were arrested and placed behind bars.
The DCI now urges the students to remain calm as the police work around the clock to bring normalcy to the area.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations appeals to the Machakos University students and their student leaders to remain calm as detectives expedite investigations into the security incidents and bring all the suspects to book,” DCI added.
