Varsity student killed in standoff with police
Mr Michael King'ara a brother to Mr Oscar Kamau King'ara address journalist outside Monte Nzuma and Monalisa Funeral Home on 6th March 2009, shortly after Mr King'ara's body was transfered from the Nairobi City Mortuary, where it was taken after he was shot dead along Mamlaka road near the University of Nairobi. PHOTO/ PETERSON GITHAIGA
A university student was shot dead on Thursday night in a confrontation with police after the killing of two human rights activists.
Police fired at the University of Nairobi students who were blocking them from removing the body of Mr Kamau King’ara, the founder of Oscar Foundation who was shot dead with his colleague Paul Oulu near the hostels.
Mr King’ara, whose NGO provided legal aid to Mungiki suspects, had earlier been accused by government spokesman Alfred Mutua of funding the banned sect’s protests.
Tension was high at the university yesterday following the shooting of third year Bachelor of Arts student Edwin Ongaro.
Mr King’ara and Mr Oulu were shot near the university’s Hall 11 on Thursday evening.
Moments later, police arrived to collect the bodies, leading to a confrontation with the students.
Repulsed police
“I had just got to my room when gunshots rent the air. I went out and found students milling around a Mercedes, shouting for help,” said a student who declined to be named.
The students repulsed the police officers who, however, took away Mr Oulu’s body.
A few minutes later they returned with reinforcements, said the students, who had pushed the car into the hostel compound.
“They fired teargas into the compound in a bid to force their way in. We fought back but were overcome by the teargas,” said the students.
Police then found Mr King’ara’s body where the students had concealed it.
Students pelted the police officers with stones as they tried to take the body away and they opened fire, killing one of them at close range.
“They were firing live bullets at us and we hit back,” the students said.
Police Commissioner Hussein Ali ordered three of his officers arrested over the killing.
“The situation did not necessitate use of force. We also disarmed the officers and took their firearms for ballistic examination.
“We want to know the weapon which discharged the killer bullet,” said Maj Gen Ali.
He went on: “I send deep and sincere regrets on the tragic incident.”
The officer found culpable, he said, would be taken to court.
