Miraa trader disputes police claims in deadly shooting

Mr Macharia Njeru, the chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), at a past event. Maua town residents and leaders have called on the Ipoa to investigate a police shooting incident in Maua town on March 12, 2016 that left one man dead and another injured. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • According to the Meru Police County Commander Samson Kinne, security agents were thwarting a robbery incident after a watchman raised the alarm.

  • Mr Mungathia claims that it was when the public responded to his call for help when one of the officers “who appeared drunk” shot a man identified as Mr David Kirimi.

  • Following the incident, Maua residents demonstrated Sunday seeking redress but security agents fired tear gas to disperse them.

A miraa trader has disputed the police version of how a shooting incident that left a man dead and another one injured in Maua town Saturday night happened.

According to the Meru Police County Commander Samson Kinne, security agents were thwarting a robbery incident after a watchman raised the alarm.

“The police were on patrol when they came across three men who were attempting to commit a robbery. One person escaped, one was shot dead and a third is in hospital. The one who escaped has a firearm. Officers are on the ground investigating,” Mr Kinne said.

However, speaking to Nation on Monday, the “armed man” Mr Jeremia Mungathia who the police claim escaped disputed their claims.

Recounting the incident, Mr Mungathia, also known as ‘Mbalika’, said he had collected Sh300, 000 from a buyer and was heading to an M-Pesa agent to deposit the money when a police car stopped near him and officers started manhandling him.

“The three officers claimed I had urinated at the side of the road and tried to force me into their car. They searched my pockets and demanded to know where I had got that much money from. I shouted and members of the public came to my aid,” said Mr Mungathia.

Mr Mungathia claims that it was when the public responded to his call for help when one of the officers “who appeared drunk” shot a man identified as Mr David Kirimi.

Following the incident, Maua residents demonstrated Sunday seeking redress but security agents fired tear gas to disperse them.

Local leaders including the former Ntonyiri constituency (now Igembe North) MP Richard Maore and Meru Deputy Governor Raphael Muriungi have called for investigations to unearth the truth. 

“We are very concerned at the incident where one person was shot dead by the police. Now they are threatening the traders in their bid to cover up the incident. As law abiding residents we want the IPOA to investigate the officers at Maua Police Station,” said Mr Maore.

The Meru deputy governor also disputed the police claims when he visited the Maua Police Station accompanied by the deceased man's mother.