A police officer based in Ngong finds himself under arrest following an incident where he shot a 15-year-old boy while attempting to rescue a suspect from a lynching mob.
The young boy sustained life-threatening injuries when a bullet struck his abdomen, raising concerns about the crowd control tactics employed by the officers.
The mob had been pursuing a suspect accused of a brutal stabbing that left a woman critically injured after suffering three knife wounds.
According to police reports, the situation escalated when the mob cornered the suspect, and authorities intervened in an attempt to save him.
The suspect was later admitted to a medical facility in Ngong, while the injured boy has been transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized treatment. Police reports indicate that he is currently in stable but critical condition.
The exact circumstances that led to the altercation between the man and the woman remain unclear. However, the police have confirmed that the suspect is now in custody after being discharged from the hospital, and he will be brought to court to face charges.
The police officer responsible for shooting the young boy is a constable who has since been disarmed and taken into custody. It has been reported that he will also face charges in court.
This incident highlights a recurring issue of police harming civilians during protests and mob situations. During the previous round of anti-government demonstrations, at least 20 individuals lost their lives, prompting significant concerns about police brutality.
While law enforcement agencies are expected to employ non-lethal measures such as tear gas and rubber bullets for crowd control, instances of fatalities resulting from live ammunition have raised doubts about the enforcement of these guidelines.
Kenyans have expressed frustration over the challenges in holding officers accountable for the deaths of innocent civilians during protests and situations where law enforcement is called upon to restore order.