Three suspects arrested in connection to abductions in Murang’a

Outrage in Murang’a as Leaders Condemn Police Shooting of Hawker
A wave of outrage has swept through Murang’a County following the fatal police shooting of a street hawker in Maragua Town. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday during a routine operation to clear vendors from the streets, has been condemned by local leaders and human rights groups, who are demanding accountability and justice for the victim.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victim was shot by an officer after a confrontation ensued during the crackdown on unlicensed street vendors. The young man, who was eking out a living by selling his wares, was pronounced dead at the scene, sparking immediate protests from fellow traders and residents. This is an extra-judicial killing. The use of lethal force against an unarmed citizen, especially a young person trying to make an honest living, is utterly unacceptable, stated a local Member of County Assembly (MCA).
The shooting has ignited long-simmering tensions between the informal business community and local law enforcement over the management of public spaces. Leaders, including area MP Mary Wamaua, have called for an immediate and independent investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). We cannot allow those sworn to protect us to become the perpetrators of injustice. We demand that the officer responsible be apprehended and face the full force of the law, the MP asserted.
In response to the public fury, the Murang’a County Police Commander has confirmed that the officer implicated in the shooting has been disarmed and is in custody pending investigations. The National Police Service has issued a statement expressing regret over the loss of life and assuring the public of a transparent probe. As the community mourns, this incident has cast a harsh spotlight on police conduct and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the treatment of Kenya’s informal sector workforce.