Demos in Kisii after police shoot man over sanitiser

By RUTH MBULA

There was heavy security presence at a police station in Marani, Kisii County a day after a man was shot dead by police at a local market for allegedly selling substandard sanitiser.

A spot check by the Nation on Monday found agitated youths standing just a few metres from the station as they threatened to storm in.

Some of the youths that were threatening to storm in. PHOTO | RUTH MBULA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The killing of the unidentified man in Rioma market last evening sparked violent demonstrations by locals, who vandalised sections of the police station.

According to area chief Evans Onchiri, the deceased was in the market selling sanitisers which he had packed in small bottles when he was shot in the chest.

“Today being a market day, locals had gone to buy and sell their products at Rioma market when the deceased was confronted by police officers,”said Mr Onchiri. 

He said the victim has not been identified yet.

“The man who was shot is not from my location but being a market day, people throng here for business,” he added.

Dozens of police officers were guarding the station on Monday morning. PHOTO | RUTH MBULA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

He added that the rogue policeman returned his firearm after the shooting incident and ran away.

“He is still being sought by his colleagues,” said the chief.