Wananchi barricade the Mombasa-Malindi highway at Kibaoni in Kilifi town near Pwani University after the killing of a man who allegedly attacked a prison officer on July 2, 2017. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
A prison officer has shot and killed a man in unclear circumstances in Kilifi town Sunday morning.
According to reports, Jamal Washe was killed at the Kibaoni stage by a prison officer identified only as Abdi.
Kilifi police boss Alexander Makau confirmed the incident and said Washe was shot after attacking the officer.
“Police officers were on a routine patrol when they found Jamal with knives and bhang. He ran away but later returned and picked stones which he pelted at the officers," he said.
"They managed to dodge the first and second throws but the third stone hit the officer who decided to shoot him," he added.
However, Washe's brother Rama Gambo said Makau's statement was false and that his brother was not armed and did not throw any stones.
He said two police officers had gone to a drugs den near Kibaoni stage where they took someone's phone.
“Jamal was taking tea near the stage. He decided to go see what was happening at Migamuni. The officers fired in the air so he started running," he narrated.
"The prison officer shot him in the back and the bullet went through his chest. I witnessed my brother being shot. He fell to the ground across the road."
Gambo added that a police Land Cruiser was latre to arrive and pick the officers.
"Another Land Cruiser arrived with more officers but angry members of the public started attacking the officers. My brother was dead by then. The officer who was injured was not among those who killed my brother."
Human rights activist Baraka Thoya said that the case was that of extrajudicial killings, saying Washe was not armed.
“This boy was running away...that’s why he was shot in the back. He would have been shot from the front had he been attacking the officers," said Baraka.
Residents barricaded the busy road and burnt tyres in protest.