The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has apologized to Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki who was shot during the anti-tax protests in Nakuru.
Speaking to the press on July 30, Deputy Director Josephat Kaimenyi of IPOA in Nakuru apologized to Wanjeri and affirmed that they were diligently handling the investigations.
“We want to assure Kenyans and members of the press and media that we are on top of the issues on the investigations of the harm that Wanjeri underwent, and as an organization IPOA, we send our pole (apologies), to her and wish her quick recovery,” he affirmed.
Additionally, Kaimenyi revealed that they were in possession of the P3 form that would aid in the investigations.
Similarly, he stated that IPOA was collaborating primarily with the police to fast track and potentially finalize the investigations.
“We are finalizing investigations on the file that is the tail end of the investigations. We want to thank you for facilitating and bringing her one of the documents we have been waiting for that is the P3 form, that we have received today, and we are grateful,” Kaimenyi stated.
He added that, “We are also following up with other institutions, of the government especially the police so that we can also fast track giving us some of the documents we require to finalize our investigations.”
Also Read: Journalist Breaks Down While Narrating Last Moments Before Being Shot by Police
Wanjeri Comments after IPOA Apology
Catherine Kariuki expressed optimism in getting justice as according to her, an attack on her signified an attack to all journalists.
At the same time, she explained that the police concluding on the investigations would aid in her healing of the traumatic event she experienced on that fateful day.
“ I’m hopeful that with the speed of only two weeks they can be able to get the information the eighty per cent, I believe that they are going to give us the justice that we require, not for me only but for all the journalists because I believe if I was attacked, it’s on behalf of the other journalists who are in Nakuru and the country at large.
“So, it’s my prayer that they fast-track my investigation so that I can get my justice, because this is not what I had anticipated to be a day like today. It would heal me in a big manner if justice was served to me” she said.
Also Read: Journalist Breaks Down While Narrating Last Moments Before Being Shot by Police
Wanjeri Shooting Incident
Prior to the shooting incident, Wanjeri was captured in a video helping a female police officer who was inside a police vehicle by giving the officer toothpaste which is believed to help in reducing the effect of teargas on the eyes.
A few moments later, another video which captured the shooting incident showed a police officer inside a vehicle shooting towards the direction where Wanjeri and her colleagues were standing.
Following the shooting, Wanjeri lay down in pain after three rubber bullets penetrated her thigh, with colleagues calling out for help.
Wanjeri was rushed to Valley Hospital for first aid and thereafter referred to the facility where she is currently recuperating after a surgery.
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