The Moment of the Shooting
The victim, who operates a small electronics stall near the Huruma Police Post, describes the scene on Sunday, February 8, as a “war zone.”
The Atmosphere: Protesters were clashing with anti-riot police following the killing of KMTC student Sheryl Adhiambo the previous night.
The Act: The trader recounts that he was in the process of pulling down his metallic shutters to protect his goods from looters.
The Strike: “I saw an officer stop about 20 meters away. He didn’t fire in the air; he leveled his rifle toward our line of shops. The next thing I felt was a hot sting in my thigh, and I collapsed inside my shop.”
2. A Contradiction of Accounts
The trader’s testimony directly challenges the initial police signals regarding the conduct of officers during the riots.
The Official Line: Police reports initially claimed that officers only used “proportional force” and “non-lethal dispersal methods” (tear gas and water cannons) to manage the crowd.
The Physical Evidence: Doctors at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital have confirmed they removed a high-velocity bullet fragment from the victim’s leg, suggesting the use of live ammunition rather than rubber bullets.
The “Bystander” Reality: The victim insists he was not part of the stone-throwing youth but was a civilian caught in the path of reckless policing.
3. IPOA Records Firsthand Testimony
On Wednesday, February 11, investigators from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) visited the hospital to record the trader’s statement.
Witness Identification: The trader claims he can identify the officer involved, noting that the individual was not wearing a mask or a helmet at the time of the shooting.
The Investigation Path: IPOA is now cross-referencing this testimony with the duty roster of the Huruma Police Post to identify the specific officer assigned to that sector during the Sunday protests.
