A woman was killed by police in Akado market, Seme sub-county when angry residents took on police for shielding a suspected cattle thief.
The administrative police, who resorted to live bullets after running out of teargas canisters, are said to have killed Caroline Juma, a mother of five, outside her cafeteria in the ensuing melee.
Witnesses told our reporter that the eight-hour running battles started at 2am when residents who led the APs to the suspect, Moses Omondi’s house, demanded that he handed over for mob justice.
“The charged mob was baying for the blood of the suspect they accused of involvement in other crimes committed here but the police insisted prescribed law would be enforced
“It was at that point that chaos erupted, forcing the four APs manning Akado police post to lob teargas canisters. When they were overpowered, they called for reinforcement,” said John Lang’o, the market chairman.
He went on: “The battalion of about 20 policemen was also overwhelmed. The police fired in the air severally but the inflating crowd did not retreat.”
He added that it was at that point that one officer fired severally over the crowd.
The deceased’s son, Raphael Okumu, 40 asked police boss David Kimaiyo to ensure justice is done
“What the police have done here is grievous; the police have killed an innocent person, while protecting a criminal,” said the audibly bitter son, adding that the APs were on the spot for abetting crime.
“We want the police boss to ensure justice is served and the officer known to us brought to book.”
Later in the day police dispatched another contingent of about 20 police officers from Kisumu to go and restore calm and collect the body
The mob raided the APs residence within the market and burnt their property, including some uniform on the road in protest.
They demanded that the post be removed from the market over allegations that police were aiding criminals.