• Police say they were heavily armed and planned to raid Lexi petrol station
• One of the slain was a lawyer
Image: FILE
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority on Thursday started investigating the shootings in Juja, Kiambu, that claimed five lives.
Police say the five civilians who were shot dead near Sewage were heavily armed and planned to raid Lexi petrol station.
“Rest in peace Iyan Ojuok and Lawyer Jeremiah Meeme. Wakili (Lawyer) Charles Ojuok sorry for the loss of your brother,” a friend of one of the families, Edward Oboge, said.
Family, friends and colleagues say the deceased were innocent and have demanded answers.
Among those killed is lawyer Meeme Jeremiah, whose body was transferred to the Kenyatta University Mortuary on Thursday.
“I knew this man since he was a sharp lawyer who could not rob anyone. He used his pen and brains to defend people in court and never can he use a gun,” Odiya and Associates boss Odiya Nyabiege said.
“So I read a cover-up and the officers must be investigated. I can vouch for him.”
His colleagues said the police executed the five and came up with "a fake narrative to cover up their wrongdoing".
They want those found guilty to face the full force of the law.
However, the police say there were six suspects but one escaped. They said they are looking for him.
"Upon conclusion, if culpability is found, the authority will ensure the responsible officers face the law through appropriate disciplinary recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions," the statement send by Ipoa yesterday read.
Section 25(1) of the Ipoa Act requires the authority to investigate deaths and serious injuries caused by the police.
Police said none of their officers was injured despite recovering an AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 15 bullets, three home-made guns, six 9mm calibre bullets and one pocket phone.