Machakos University Protests: Cop Arrested After Shooting Student

A police officer is currently in custody at Machakos police station on suspicion of shooting and seriously injuring a university student.

In a report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, December 6, Police Corporal Michael Mulwa, is suspected to have shot one Brilliant Anusu, a Machakos University student.

Together with his colleagues, Anusu staged a demonstration due to the escalating level of insecurity in the area.

A man in handcuffs. /DAILY NATION

"The student who is currently fighting for his life at the Machakos level 5 hospital, is suspected to have been part of a group of students that had engaged police officers in running battles for the better part of the day. 

"A total of 9 firearms including 5 pistols, 3 G-3riffles and one AK-47 assault rifles have also been seized from different police officers and they will be subjected to forensic ballistic analysis at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, to scientifically ascertain which firearms were misused when quelling the riotous students," the DCI stated in part.

The arrest comes hours after another police officer was arrested on robbery with violence charges after he attacked a university student and robbed him of his mobile phone and other valuables.

The officer identified as Kevin Sila and an accomplice had accosted two Machakos University students as they headed to their rented quarters on a bicycle on Sunday night, December 4.

"The duo who were on a motorbike registration number KMTE 363W had flagged down the students in the wee hours of the morning before descending on one of them with resounding slaps as they ransacked his pockets.

"His roommate however managed to escape the attack narrowly and took flight screaming, attracting neighbours who also happened to be students from the university," wrote the DCI in part.

The students responded to the distress calls and rescued their fellow comrade from the wrath of the officer and his accomplice. 

The drama unfolded when the officer attempted to escape after handing back the stolen phone but it was too late as his colleagues from Machakos police station arrived and arrested him and his colleague.

Last Friday, December 2, 14 robbery with violence suspects linked to the spate of robberies mostly targeting university students living outside the campus, were arrested and placed behind bars in an operation aimed at restoring sanity in the area.

The DCI appealed to the Machakos University students and their student leaders to remain calm as detectives expedite investigations into the security incidents and bring all the suspects to book.