Githurai family demands justice as bouncer allegedly shot dead by police after bar brawl

A family in Githurai 44 is crying for justice after their kin who worked as a club bouncer was allegedly shot dead by a police officer after a bar brawl.

The late Eric Muiruri is alleged to have fought with a club manager who was overpowered and called police. The law enforcers are accused of shooting the deceased and later claiming he was found in possession of stolen items.

Joyce Njoki, the late Muiruri's mother, said: "Manager alipigia polisi simu…Stevo vile alikuja na Denno walimuona na wanamjua, akatoa risasi…(Muiruri) akachukua mkono juu akamwambia Stevo usiniue, kabla uniue niitie mama yangu…”

Njoki claims after the shooting, the two policers allegedly went ahead to frame him.

"Mimi nikasema nataka nione ni vitu gani hizo mnasema ni mwizi nione ameiba nini, huyo mtu alikuja na bag wakaingia kwa mtaro walitoa mascrap ya simu na kisu wakaweka ndani…mi nikamuuliza wakanichapa kwa nini huyu ameuawa hapa mbona mnaendea vitu pale…” she narrated.

Anthony Joel, a friend of the deceased, said: “Vile mimi najua Eric, Eric si mwizi, haguzi kitu ya mtu…na hata Eric apate kitu yako chini atauliza ni ya nani, hawezi shika kitu ya mtu…”

The family has also raised concerns on the manner the body was handled after leaving the scene.

"Mwili ilikuwa imejaa matope na alipigwa risasi akiwa msafi, sijui kama walimpeleka kwa mtaro juu kuanza kichwa juu mpaka chini amejaa matope…” Njoki added.

For two days the family has been unable to get an Occurence Book number from police in Githurai 44 where the incident happened.

Efforts to get a comment from police in Kasarani, the Divisional Headquarters on the status of the investigations were futile.

Hussein Khalid, Executive Director, Vocal Africa, said: "It's very clear that this problem of police killings, extra-judicial killings is with the heads of police and security services in this country, because they're not doing anything…”

Meanwhile, the family of the late Maureen Nduku, who sustained a single gunshot wound to the stomach after she was allegedly shot by police in Gikomba market on August 3 before succumbing to her injuries four days later, have continued to push for justice.

Speaking after an autopsy exercise at KNH Farewell Home, the family called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Johnson Muema, Nduku's relative, said: "Infection ndio iliingia kwa mwili wakati ilichanganyika na damu ika affect viungo vyake vingine ikiwa mpaka ubongo na hiyo ndio kitu ilisababisha kifo chake na sisi kama familia tumeridhika na hiyo ripoti ya daktari...”

The bullet that hit Nduku also struck 16-year-old Abdala Lihan who is receiving treatment at KNH after it was removed from his leg.