Man and son killing spark protests

A police officer ready to fire tear gas at protesters after the killing of Ibrahim Ondego (46) and his son Joseph Nyaberi (14) in Kawangware, Nairobi in an early morning incident November 23, 2011. PHOEBE OKALL

A man and his son were shot dead on Wednesday by police under mysterious circumstances sparking protests in Kawangware, Narobi.

Mr Ibrahim Okech Ondengo, 46, and his son, Joseph Nyaberi, 14, left their house in Kawangware-46 at around 4am heading to Gikomba market to buy vegetables which he sells along Naivasha road.

According to Mr Ondengo’s other son, 17-year-old Isaac Okech, the two met two plain clothes police officers who claimed that they were pursuing gangsters.

One of the officers, known to the slum residents as constable Kalonzo of the Muthangari police station, shot Mr Ondengo.

Isaac said after the first shot, he heard his younger brother, who recently sat for his KCPE exams, pleading with the officers not to kill his father.

Isaac went out of their house and found his father and brother lying down with a basket and gunny bags they had left the house with.

Residents said that a double-cab pick-up, which they said belonged to the CID, arrived and one of the occupants came out with a pistol and a panga which they placed besides the bodies.

The vehicle sped away and the two officers put the bodies in a another pick-up and drove off.

Dagoretti police boss Mathew Gwiyo however said that the officers on patrol heard screams at around 4am and were confronted by Odengo and his son armed with pangas.

The police shot them and recovered two pangas and a pistol. At Kamitha police post in Nairobi’s Muthangari area, the double cab pick-up was parked in the compound.

Protesters blocked Gitanga road from the James Gichuru junction all the way to Kawangware-46.

The dead boy, Joseph Nyaberi, was a pupil at Ndurarua Primary School in Kawangware.

Mr Ondengo, who is from Kisii South District, was described by shocked neighbours and friends as a quiet man who had lived in the area for over 20 years.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said that the incident will be investigated and appealed to the public to volunteer information.

“Should we find the shooting unjustified, the officer will be taken to court,” said Kiraithe.

Area MP Beth Mugo appealed for peace.