Form 2 student shot dead in Kisumu chaos

Chaos erupted in Kisumu City yesterday after a Form Two student was shot dead by police and three others seriously injured.

Jecinter Achieng Ochieng, 19, a student at Rang’ala Girls’ High School in Siaya county, was caught up in the cross fire as the officers pursued a matatu operator over an alleged traffic offence in Kisumu’s Jua Kali area.

Achieng was then rushed to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu town for medical attention where she succumbed to her injuries.

Her body was moved to the hospital mortuary.

The Kisumu County police commander Alphonse Wambua yesterday confirmed the fatal shooting and the injuries adding that they would investigate the incident. He however said they were yet to get the proper details on what transpired, leading to the shooting.

The three others who sustained gunshot injuries are currently fighting for their lives at the Kisumu County Hospital and at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Charles Amollo, a brother in law to the deceased, questioned the officers’ actions. Achieng, he said, was staying in his house during the school holiday. The student was on her way to purchase some items before reporting back to school when she met her death. “We want action to be taken against the officers who were involved in this act,” he said.

Trouble started when the officers who were pursuing a PSV vehicle threw spikes on reaching the Jua Kali area but the matatu driver failed to stop, forcing them to lob teargas canisters and allegedly fired live bullets hitting three passers-by.

The incident sparked protests in the lakeside town as irate members of the public stormed Kisumu Central Police Station protesting the shooting of the three.

The protestors who demanded action against the officer involved in the shooting, broke windows and attempted to burn police vehicles.

Kisumu-based human rights activist Audi Ogada and Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron condemned the incident, while calling for action against the officer involved in the shooting.

Audi accused the police officers of using live bullets on innocent residents.

“What police officers have done today regardless of what they were doing is a serious crime in nature because they have killed an innocent citizen,” he said.

He urged the regional commander to move fast, investigate and arrest the police officers who have been terrorising Kisumu residents in the name of protecting them.

Oron, who visited the victims, said they have so far collected over 20 cartridges allegedly used by the police during the shooting.

The MP noted that use of live bullets on unarmed citizens is unacceptable.