KWS officers killed two people in Wajir, protests erupted and police shot one more

One person was on Friday allegedly shot and killed by police officers after protests erupted in Wajir town.

The demonstrations erupted after Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers allegedly killed two men believed to be poachers on Thursday evening.

The killings sparked angry protests from Wajir residents who thronged the streets, barricaded roads and lit bonfires to express their anger.

According to KWS officers, the suspects killed a giraffe and were transporting its meat, further that efforts to stop them were futile, prompting them to open fire.

Wajir residents faulted the KWS officers for killing the duo instead of arresting and prosecuting them.

“I term the officers who have done the actions as criminals who are using government ammunition to kill innocent citizens,” lamented one of the residents.

Wajir Deputy Governor Ahmed Mohamed urged the police to practice restrain when handling protesters.

“The security apparatus must change attitude. They should not respond to us with bullets every time when there is an issue,” said the DG.

The area leaders also condemned the killings and called for calm as investigations begin.

“It is quite unfortunate that we have lost lives. Any life lost is one too many but continuing with the same will not bring solution. We will work with security agencies to make sure that justice is served to families who lost their loved ones,” Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney said.

The day-long protests disrupted normal business operations in the area as police engaged the residents in running battles leaving dozens injured.