|
Policeman killed as protests
rock town
Story by KENNEDY MASIBO and WANJIRU MACHARIA
Publication Date: Jan/19/2008
An administration police officer was Friday shot with a poisoned
arrow and later succumbed to his injuries in Kapsita area within
Molo District.
Rift Valley Provincial Police Officer Everett Wasige confirmed the
incident which, he said, took place at around noon.
Mr Wasige, who spoke to the Nation as he headed to the scene of
the incident, said a major operation will be undertaken to flush
out the culprits.
Become targets
He said it was unfortunate that security agents had become targets
in the continuing violence in the country.
In Narok Town, a man was shot dead with an arrow in Mung’are area
of Majengo estate as a demonstration called by ODM entered the
third day Friday.
Confirming the incident, Narok divisional police boss Patrick
Wambani said the man was shot during a confrontation between the
hundreds of protesters and residents of Majengo estate.
Mr Wambani said the man died on the spot as Good Samaritans tried
to pull out the poisoned arrow from his body.
He said the body was moved to Narok District Hospital Mortuary.
At least six people were also seriously injured during the
demonstrations while 20 others were arrested in connection with
looting and rioting.
The six were rushed to the Narok District Hospital theatre in
serious condition after they were attacked with arrows, machetes
and clubs during the riots.
Narok North DC Andrew Rukaria said the 20 protesters arrested
would be charged with the offences later yesterday to ease
congestion at the police station.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people have fled Majengo, Olpopong and
London estates in the town for fear of being attacked at night.
The residents have been camping at the police station, the DC’s
office and Lenana Primary School since chaos broke out.
No-go zone
The town was a no-go zone early yesterday morning as demonstrators
lit bonfires along the streets and stoned business premises and
motor vehicles.
Police had to lob teargas canisters and shoot in the air to
disperse the angry mobs.
In Busia, police yesterday fired live shots into demonstrators and
critically injured a 15-year-old girl.
The protesters, carrying a mock coffin of President Kibaki, got
into trouble when they passed near Busia police station chanting
anti-Kibaki slogans.
Police then moved to disperse the crowd and in the process shot
the school girl on the right leg.
Meanwhile, Busia Town remained deserted after the riots with
virtually all shops closed and both the official entry points at
the Busia Kenya-Uganda border hurriedly closed by security
personnel.
Similarly, protesters in Yala carried a mock coffin of the
President which they buried at a local cemetery.
Additional reporting by Michael Oongo
|
