One person has been shot dead by a police officer in Kapchorwa, Nandi County.
Residents clashed with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) when executing arrest of the suspects allegedly making illicit brews in the forest zones including Kipkurere and Kapchorwa.
Two persons were arrested and locked up in the KFS station, but sparked up fierce retaliation from the locals who stormed the police camp demanding for the release of the suspects.
Hundreds of residents engaged the Kenya forest service police officers in the running battles that led to the death of 20 years old resident identified as Daniel Kiptoo.
According to Nandi East Police Commander Jeremiah Leariwala, the angry residents overwhelmed the police officers and broke into the station and released the suspects before setting ablaze.
“They destroyed all structures and burned down the flag including personal effects and utensils. They also cart away with thousands of tree seedlings in the tree garden outside the station,” OCPD Leariwala said.
Cleophas Tum, a resident claimed that the deceased succumbed to a gunshot injury in the chest after police resorted to using live bullets to disperse the residents.
“The people were not armed and they were agitating for the release of the persons who were arbitrarily detained. We have had people being arrested and tortured in the KFS cells by police and in most cases no legal action is taken against them,” he claimed.
This has raised concerns from the community leaders and human right advocates who have questioned the manner in which the police officers shot and killed one of the residents in the scuffle. OCPD Leariwala said that three KFS officers have been arrested signaling the commencement of investigation into the matter.
“We have recieved complains from the public and legal action have been taken against those who were allegedly responsible in the operations. They will be arraigned in court on Monday morning,” he confirmed.
Mr Leariwala further said the body of the deceased was taken to Nandi Hills morgue pending postmortem to help in the investigation process.
