The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has announced it is investigating the shooting and killing of six people by police during a protest against insecurity.
This happened as some of the locals marched to Isebania Police Station in Kuria West Sub-County over the killing of a local businessman Moses Mwangi.
The group marched to the station on Thursday carrying Mwangi’s body prompting a fierce clash and shooting that left five dead.
A similar clash took place on Friday where one person was shot and killed, police said.
Dozens of others including police officers were injured in the chaos.
The incident allegedly occurred as police officers from Isebania Police Station attempted to restore peace through a public order management operation.
IPOA said section 25 (1) of the IPOA Act, demands that “the Authority shall investigate any death or serious injury including death or serious injury while in Police custody, which is the result of Police action or were caused by members of the Service while on duty”.
Chair Anne Makori said they dispatched a Rapid Response Team to launch investigations into the deaths and injuries.
“Upon conclusion of its investigations, the Authority shall take appropriate action including recommending to the Director of Public Prosecutions the prosecution of any person found culpable,” she said.
Kuria West police boss Cleti Kimayio said three police officers were injured in the second chaos. 12 others had on May 20 been killed in similar clashes.
He said the group mainly consisting of mourners had attempted to torch Isebania Police Station, Migori County.
He said the group was pretending to be mourners and were armed with stones and other crude weapons when they stormed the station engaging police in running battles which forced the officers to use live bullets.
Police said the protestors attempted to free suspects in police custody and also targeted the armoury forcing police officers to gun down four of them.
The protesters had picked up the body from the local mortuary before heading to the station where chaos broke out.
The deceased businessman in the area was murdered by robbers about a week ago.
Police said Mwangi had been killed by unknown people in an attack.
During the incident, two police vehicles were damaged.
The matter is under probe.
No arrest has been made over the murder of the businessman and police said they are still investigating the case.
