Protests erupt in Garissa, Narok after two people killed

In Garissa, demonstrations were sparked by the killing of a 24-year-old driver, allegedly by an officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Protesters marched through the town carrying the body of the deceased, Aden Mohammed Hassan, demanding the arrest of the officer involved.

A cat-and-mouse game ensued as police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the crowds heading toward Garissa Police Station.

“Jamaa alinikujia, akanigonga na gari, akauliza mbona, kumuuliza akampiga risasi akasema alikuwa anamtafuta,” said Abdi Mohamud, eyewitness.

North Eastern Regional Police Commander John Nzioka confirmed the incident, stating; “Officers walikuwa patrol Modika, wakiwa hapo, kijana mmoja alipigwa risasi akaaga hapo hapo, mwili imepelekwa Garissa Mortuary awaiting postmortem.”

Local leaders have called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct thorough investigations, even as police appealed for calm.

Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad questioned how the incident occurred, saying, “Hapa kwa armoury hupewi gun bila kusign, tunajua kuna system.”

Meanwhile, in Narok, students from Maasai Mara University barricaded the busy Narok–Bomet road after a second-year student was hit and killed by a lorry at the Enkare Narok River bridge.

Another student, Collins Omondi, accused police of using force during the protests.

“Tukapatana na officers wakaanza kutupiga, mimi nataka kuuliza what happened, tulitaka tujibiwe,” he said.

Several students were arrested and are being held at Narok Police Station.