Kilifi police boss Alexander Makau at a past function. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
A section of residents in Mtwapa have given the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) seven days to probe an incident in whichone person was shot dead and three others left nursing gunshot wounds following a confrontation between prison officers and the public.Led by Shimo la Tewa MCA Sammy Ndago, the residents raised concern over increased incidents of police harassment.Ndago claimed that five officers, who work at Shimo la Tewa GK prison, are fond of drinking mnazi in dens without paying. “They go ahead and threaten the sellers that they will shoot them. Yesterday, people got fed up with their habit and decided to confront them after they refused to pay,” said Ndago.According to Kilifi police boss Alexander Makau, Maxwell Masotan, a thirty two-year-old water vendor at Kasani area in Mtwapa was shot dead following the altercation.Makau also said that the offcers opened fire after the residents attempted to bar them from arresting the suspect. John Ngoro, Geofrey Ngotho and John Lesabugia sustained injuries during the incident and were taken to Coast Provincial General Hospital.The officers, who were identified as Dennis Ochieng, Simon Otieno, Michael Opondo, and Christopher Ochieng have since been arrested.