Police in Meru County have launched investigations into the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man who was injured during a political rally in Buuri West sub-County.
The victim, Eric Mwenda, succumbed to his injuries on March 9 while undergoing treatment at St Teresa’s Kiirua Mission Hospital after being shot in the forehead during a chaotic confrontation at a stopover rally organized by the United Opposition.
According to police and witnesses, the incident occurred on March 8 at about 3.30 pm at Ntirimiti Centre when a fracas reportedly erupted as opposition leaders addressed supporters.
In the ensuing chaos, security officers allegedly fired shots to disperse the crowd. Mwenda was struck in the forehead by a bullet in what investigators suspect may have been a police round.
He was rushed to Kiirua Mission Hospital in critical condition where doctors attempted emergency treatment. However, at about 5.00 am on March 9, Mwenda’s family received a call from a neurosurgeon confirming he had died from the injuries sustained during the shooting.
Detectives who visited both the scene and the hospital confirmed the victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the forehead. Investigators also recovered a spent 9mm cartridge believed to be linked to the shooting.
Police said the area has since been secured as investigators work to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and determine who fired the fatal shot.
The killing has heightened concerns over the use of force by security agencies during political gatherings, particularly amid rising tensions between government authorities and opposition groups.
In a separate incident in Kakamega County, police are investigating the suspected murder of a 54-year-old woman, identified as Leonida Kakai, in Kabras East Subcounty.
Police say Kakai was allegedly assaulted by her husband on the night of March 8. Fearing for her safety, she reportedly sought refuge at a neighbour’s house.
The following morning, while walking home accompanied by her granddaughter, she suddenly collapsed along the way.
She was rushed to Chomoi Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police later moved the body to the hospital mortuary where it awaits a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death as detectives pursue the suspect.
Meanwhile, residents in Kinangop set ablaze two motorcycles belonging to suspected cattle thieves after tracing them to a nearby thicket.
Police said the suspects had allegedly stolen a cow valued at Sh150,000, slaughtered it in the bush and were sharing the meat when locals tracked them down.
The suspects fled the scene, abandoning the carcass and the two motorcycles, which were torched by an angry mob.
Officers later visited the area and confirmed that manhunts are underway to track down the suspects.
The three incidents—ranging from a fatal rally shooting, a suspected domestic killing, and mob justice over livestock theft—highlight growing security concerns across parts of the country.
Police say investigations in all cases are ongoing and have urged members of the public to cooperate with authorities and avoid taking the law into their own hands.