• She was in the company of her 18-year-old friend when they were shot at by police as they cracked down a criminal gang calling itself Confirm.
•Whitney was a Form Four student at the Nakuru Central Secondary School.
Image: THE STAR
IPOA has commenced investigations into Sunday's fatal shooting of a Form Four student at Lakeview estate in Nakuru County.
Whitney Atieno, 19, was fatally shot outside a salon where she had gone to have her hair plaited for school.
She was in the company of her 18-year-old friend when they were allegedly shot at by police during a crackdown on a criminal gang.
"Based on immediate reports that there was police involvement, the Authority dispatched a Rapid Response Team with the aim of inquiring further into the incident," IPOA chairperson Anne Makori said in a statement on Tuesday.
The girls had stepped outside the salon to check after hearing a commotion when they were shot. Whitney died but her friend, Ruth, was seriously injured.
Makori said the team has since interviewed some of the witnesses and contacted police officers including commanders, among other procedures of investigations.
This, she said, is aimed at obtaining information and material relevant to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"We have spoken to some members of the family and extended our condolences to their friends and other people who have been affected," Makori said.
"Where criminal culpability is established, the Authority shall make recommendations, including but not limited to prosecution," she added.
Whitney was a Form Four student at the Nakuru Central Secondary School.
Makori said the investigation into her murder will be independent, impartial and fair.
The shooting came just a week after another one involving GSU officers which led to the killing of four protesters at Masimba in Kajiado county.