Mother to Chuka man shot by police cries for justice

Tuesday, 11th April 2023

The mother of the man who was shot dead by police in Saturday demonstrations in Chuka town has expressed her shock at the killing, posing questions over the reasons behind the shooting.

Speaking to journalists at her home, the unnamed mother said her son, Willis Mugambi, had not committed any crime and thus should not have been shot down.

“He left home in the morning for work. By 6:20 PM, we received a call telling us that he was dead – that he was killed by the police. I wondered what crime he had committed,” said the mother, filled with emotions.

“The whole day, we were here and we were not informed that he had any problem with anyone. But that evening we were phoned that he was shot dead. I leave it all to God,” she added.

On her part, Mugambi’s wife, left with two children aged eight and three, narrated the horrific moments following his demise.

“Doctors said he died on the spot after the bullet hit him. Though I thought since he was still warm, maybe he was still alive. But they said he could not have survived the shot,” she told journalists.

Mugambi was killed by a police bullet as Chuka residents held protests against laxity by security agencies following the mysterious death of another local.

The killing further fuelled rage in the protesters as they blamed the police officers of using unwanted force against peaceful protesters who were only demanding action.

Local and national leaders have joined human rights organizations and activists in demanding justice for Mugambi’s family.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said he had dispatched high- level investigative teams to Chuka Town to take over enquiry and recommend legal action on those found responsible for the Mugambi’s killing and that of the local killed earlier.

“Any person(s) at whom evidence will point shall face the course of justice,” the minister wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki also called for justice and the apprehension of the police officer behind the bullet that felled Mugambi.

“If only it was a natural death, it would be easy for us to find peace but the police who are responsible for protecting our lives and property have once more turned against us,” Governor Njuki said.

“One bullet couldn’t have been fired by more than one gun. Let the officer responsible be found and justice served.” The police action that led to the death of Mugambi also drew wide condemnation from other leaders and Kenyans who still had fresh memories of the recent killings in opposition protests. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority said on Sunday it had launched a probe into the killing, and that it had also dispatched a team of investigators to Chuka to ascertain facts around the incident.