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She stares at the clock tick, her mind completely detached from her body, as she reflects on the happenings that led to the death of her foster daughter, Whitney Atieno. 

Oblivious of the irreversible succession of events, Rebecca Bulimo despite not being the biological mother, cannot hide the pain she is going through.

The past 72-hours for the woman and extended family can only be described as nightmarish since learning of the death of Atieno. 

She is alleged to have been fatally shot by a senior police officer who was leading an operation to flush out the dreaded ‘Confirm’ gang members in Nakuru Town East sub county on the fateful Sunday evening.

Bulimo said Sunday was just a day like any other as they attended church as a family with everyone preparing for their usual week ahead. 

Atieno and her younger sister, Rosalinda Apondi, were at their house in Flamingo Ward ensuring things were in order before she left to meet with her long-time friend,  Ruth Waithera. 

Bulimo disclosed that Atieno requested for cash to plait her hair at one of the local salons, a stone’s throw away from their house. 

“I lack words really, this is the worst day of my life as a parent, why would such an innocent soul’s life be cut short in such a manner, I just can’t,” she sobbed heavily. 

Bulimo recalls hearing a commotion while in her house and as normal, she played cool assuming officers were on their usual cat and mouse chase with gangsters’ up until gunshots rattled the air. 

“A neighbour came straight to my house crying informing me that Atieno had been shot and was bleeding profusely with the police trying to flee the scene as a cover up,” said Bulimo. She revealed on hearing the news she instantly froze not knowing what to do to salvage the situation thinking of how time could be reversed to change the happenings. 

“I went outside and saw her lying in a pool of blood, I pleaded that she be taken to hospital and the police placed her inside their vehicle,” said Bulimo. 

While calling for Atieno’s justice, Bulimo accused the police of using excessive force in a residential area saying the events had cut short a dream of a young soul. 

“She was so elated on finishing school and was upbeat that she would do her best to uplift the lives of her siblings and the family as a whole, it is such a huge loss,” she added. 

Atieno died at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital while undergoing emergency treatment, whereas  Waithera is still admitted at the same facility.  

Yesterday, Teresia Wanjiku, Waithera’s mother revealed her daughter was stable and was undergoing a complex operation at the facility’s theatre. 

She said officers from Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) had reached out to her and had assured her of speedy investigations into the matter. 

“I am just a worried parent, how can police officers do such a thing, my daughter is traumatized, she just learned her friend is no more, what mental stability do you think this will have on her,” she posed. 

According to Wanjiku, the government should come in and assure them of security and use of firearms by officers lest it is used to kill innocent lives. 

“Doctors have informed me that she has to be operated on and a metal implant has to be placed on her arm for fixation of fractures,” she said. 

James Mwangi, a resident said the two Form Four students from Nakuru Central Secondary School were victims of circumstance as they were exposed to stray bullets. “The level of unprofessionalism by the police is wanting, we want all relevant authorities to take action, this is the saddest news we can bear at this time,” said Mwangi. At Nakuru Central Secondary School, a sombre mood engulfed the institution as they labeled the killings as unfortunate. 

Meanwhile, IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori in a statement confirmed the commencement of investigations assuring the public the probe would be independent, impartial and fair.