IPOA Issued 3-Day Ultimatum Over Death Of Maseno University Student
He gave IPOA, as well as the Police Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) as well as all relevant bodies three days to take quick action...
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Kenya University Student Organization (KUSO) President Anthony Manyara has demanded the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite its investigations into the shooting of a Maseno University student in Kisumu during the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya protests on March 20.
In a statement seen by Viral Tea, Manyara expressed his shock on behalf of the students' fraternity following the murder of the student, William Mayange, who was also allegedly shot by police during the Azimio demonstrations and was pronounced dead after he was rushed to Coptic hospital.
He gave IPOA, as well as the Police Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) as well as all relevant bodies three days to take quick action and give a status report on three areas.
KUSO president Anthony Manyara speaking during a church service in Ongata Rongai on March 19, 2023. /FACEBOOK.RAILA ODINGA
"Suspension, arrest and punishment of the police officer who shot and killed the unarmed student, compensation to William's family and steps taken to prevent any injuries and killing (God forbid) of comrades in future protests.
"Failure to comprehensively address the three issues will result in a nationwide reaction from comrades in full force and might," he stated in part.
Manyara further argued that the late Mayange was not physically confronting any police officer, neither was he in any looting mob nor destroying any public or private property.
"Most importantly and infuriating, William wasn't armed. William's only 'MISTAKE' was to exercise his democratic right to peacefully protest against the deplorable state of comrades' affairs alongside his classmates and friends by the roadside," he went on.
He further noted that students in the Nort Rift cannot go to school because of insecurity with bandits terrorizing them in broad daylight. and that many others in the North Eastern counties and Coastal areas such as Lamu live in perpetual fear of attacks, terming the reaction to shoot dead the student instead of bandits a 'pathetic' move.
"While student leaders and various partners within the civil society, NGOs and global bodies are working cross beyond the dark chapter of police brutality, especially on students, the murder of Comrade William is yet a reminder that while uniforms can change, the culture of brutality and impunity is still strong within our police force and other government agencies.
"Comrade William, and millions of comrades in Kenya, deserve better and better we must get," he added.
Preliminary reports had indicated that the police allegedly used live bullets to disperse the rowdy youths and other protesters who had overpowered them. 10 houses at Maseno Police Line were allegedly vandalised during the anti-government protests.
"The students lit bonfires and barricaded Kisumu-Busia road using stones," the report read in part.
"They (students) overpowered the officers who were manning the station. The officers had run out of teargas canisters."
IPOA had, in the execution of its mandate under section 6 (c) of its Act on Monday, March 20 dispatched its officers across the country to monitor the manner in which the police conducted public order management following the demonstrations mobilized by the Azimio Coalition.
The Authority also noted that some police officers were injured and property damaged in the demonstrations.
Dr Dixon Mchana, Western region’s forensic pathologist, on Wednesday, March 22 stated that an autopsy report revealed that the bullet entered Mayange's body via the neck, thereby affecting the spinal cord and leading to his death.
Entrance to Maseno University. /FILE
