Police Officer Dies After Protesters Beat Him Up In Kisumu
Oduor was repulsing protesters who broke into the supermarket to loot goods and overwhelmed the officer, viciously descending upon him with kicks and blows.
A police officer who sustained injuries during the Azimio la Umoja mass action on Thursday, March 30, 2023, is dead.
The officer who was identified as Corporal Ben Oduor, who was stationed at Keroka Police Station in Nyamira County, succumbed to injuries while he was on duty around the Jamia Supermarket area in Kisumu County.
Oduor was repulsing protesters who broke into the supermarket to loot goods and overwhelmed the officer, viciously descending upon him with kicks and blows.
Scene after a supermarket in Kisumu was looted on March 30, 2023. /CAPITAL BREAKING
Confirming the incident, Kisumu County Police Commander Alphonse Wambua told Citizen Digital that the injured officer was rushed to the Aga Khan Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit at around 10 pm but he, unfortunately, passed away while receiving treatment.
The deceased’s body is currently lying at the institution’s morgue pending post-mortem.
The supermarket's proprietor, Hussein Hassan, had blamed the police for not acting swiftly despite making several calls to the OCS. Among the products stolen were rice, cooking oil, sugar, milk, soft drinks and gas.
At the same time, a section of goons took advantage of the Azimio demonstrations, storming a newly opened mortuary at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, vandalised it and stealing items worth millions of shillings.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome condemned the acts of violence and vandalism witnessed during the demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country, which saw 20 police officers seriously injured and property whose value is yet to be determined destroyed as hooligans masquerading as protestors invaded private property.
"Investigations into incidents of robbery that have been reported are underway and those culpable will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We commend all Officers for their commitment, resilience, and acting within the confines of the law, in their effort to quell the chaos yesterday.
"National Police Service assures the public of their security and safety, and remain focused executing our mandate to serve and protect," stated Koome in a statement in part.
The police boss reiterated that the right to protest does not allow individuals to destroy property, cause a disturbance, or attack police officers as witnessed during the Thursday demos.
"In conclusion, we wish to state that all internationally accepted policing strategies and within the law will be used by all Police Officers to ensure our Beautiful Country remains safe and secure for all.
"All effort will be put to protect life and property. This will be done without fear or favour regardless of any amount of threats or intimidation," Koome vowed.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga had faulted the police for attempting to stop the protests and yet again accused foreign nations of turning a blind eye to police brutality during the opposition's protests pushing for economic and electoral reforms in the country, faulting a statement released by an ambassador whose name he did not disclose.
A police water cannon sprays pink water on Raila's convoy on March 30, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA