Human rights defender Justus Nyang'aya shot in Rongai

Amnesty International 's Kenya director, Justus Nyang'aya was shot and seriously injured in his residence in Rongai Wednesday morning. AFP PHOTO / SIMON MAINA

What you need to know:

  • Gunmen, police say, raided his house and robbed the family of cash and other valuables before shooting him.
  • Last Wednesday, in the same Ongata Rongai area, gunmen also attacked the Turkana Women County representative Joyce Akai Emanikor at the gate of her residence.

Human rights defender and the Amnesty International country director Justus Nyang’aya was shot and seriously injured in his residence in Rongai, Nairobi Wednesday morning.

Nairobi county commander Benson Kibue said that Mr Nyang’aya is admitted to a city hospital in a stable condition after he was shot three times, including on the chest.

Gunmen, police say, raided his house and robbed the family of cash and other valuables before shooting him. They then escaped but police are yet to make any arrests. “We are yet to establish the motive of the shooting but are investigating,” said Mr Kibue.

A witness, Mr Kibet Chebii, said that he was from visiting the victim’s neighbour in Acacia estate Kajiado County when he heard gunshots and alerted the police. Police rushed to the scene and also recovered two bullet heads and a spent cartridge of 9mm calibre.

Just two days ago, Mr Nyang’aya attended a function at the Law Society of Kenya offices where he awarded lawyers who offer probono services in Nairobi.

The lawyers awarded included Elisha Ongoya, a constitutional lawyer, Tony Mulekyo and John Chigiti, who represented hundreds of Muthurwa residents facing eviction and also acted for refugees.

Last Wednesday, in the same Ongata Rongai area, gunmen also attacked the Turkana Women County representative Joyce Akai Emanikor at the gate of her residence. She was however not injured nor was anything stolen from her.

Ms Lemanikor was being driven to her residence in Villa estate when they were confronted by four men, one armed with a pistol. The gang first attacked the guard at the gate but her bodyguard fired five rounds from his revolver before the gang escaped.

Elsewhere, Mr Kibue also said that a suspected mugger was early Wednesday morning shot dead along Kirinyaga Road. His accomplices however escaped on foot.