A police officer who was involved in the alleged shooting of 17-year-old teenager, Ramadhan Chege on the night of Tuesday March 4 in Shauri Moyo area has been interdicted. In a statement, the police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, through the office of the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, stated that investigations that began after the incident identified a police officer suspected of involvement in the incident.
“Upon receipt of the report, the police commenced investigations immediately and identified a police officer suspected of involvement in the incident.
Necessary action was taken, including disarming and interdicting the officer, as well as notifying the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, in compliance with the law,” read the statement.
Kanja Interdicts Police Officer Who Allegedly Shot Ramadhan Chege
Further, the Police Spokesperson said open and transparent investigations are being conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Internal Affairs Unit.
At the same time, the Police Spokesperson called for calm and peace among residents of Shauri Moyo as investigations regarding the shooting incident continues.
“National Police Service urges the public, particularly the youth in the affected area, to remain calm and to cooperate with investigators by providing any information that may assist in the investigations,” Muchiri urged.
The Inspector General of Police statement comes a day after chaos between protestors and police marred major part of Wednesday March 6 regarding the shooting incident of Ramadhan Chege.
Also Read: Four Feared Dead as Police Clash with Protestors in Majengo
Police officers engaged the protesters in running battles as they pitched camp near Shauri Moyo Police Station.
During the day Protesters set two police vehicles on fire that spark tension in the area.
Houses believed to belong to the officers based in Shauri Moyo Police Station were also torched by youth protesting against the killing of the residents in the Majengo-Gikomba market area.
The standoff affected businesses in the area including Eastleigh, Gikomba, Kamkunji and Shauri Moyo.
In addition, traffic flow along Jogoo Road, Shauri Moyo, and areas near Gikomba Market was also disrupted.
Editors Guild Condemn Police Harassment Directed Towards Journalists
Also, during the standoff, police officers harassed journalists who were covering the incident.
In a viral video seen by the Kenya times, as journalists interviewed residents to gather what had transpired, some of police officers attacked them with batons, kicks, and slaps.
Also Read: IG Douglas Kanja and DCI Amin Finally Show Up in Court
At some point they even pursued a cameraperson and forced the journalist to delete the footage.
This incident was condemned by the Kenya Editors Guild president Zubeidah Kananu and demanded the officers responsible to be held accountable.
“The Kenya Editors’ Guild is outraged by the continued and primitive attacks on journalists. Today, NTV cameraperson, a reporter, Nation photographer, and The Star reporter were assaulted in Majengo, Nairobi, while covering an incident in which a 17 year-old student was shot and later succumbed to his injuries.
As journalists interviewed residents to piece together what had transpired, police officers seemingly uncomfortable with the media presence-attacked them with batons, kicks, and slaps.
They even pursued NTV cameraperson Wambui Kurema into her car, where she had sought refuge, and forcibly deleted her footage. In the ensuing struggle, Nation photographer Denis Onsongo was beaten as he attempted to assist his colleague.
Despite numerous engagements with authorities to foster an appreciation for journalists’ work, the police continue to either disregard their role or deliberately target, injure, and intimidate them. This latest attack is further evidence of the shrinking space for media freedom in Kenya,” said Kananu.
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