Two people shot dead after protesters storm police station in Migori

Tension remains high Nyatike, Migori County, following violent protests in Macalder. At least two people were allegedly shot dead after demonstrators stormed Macalder Police Station and attacked police officers.

In the aftermath of the chaos, several police officers were injured, houses belonging to police officers torched and a number of police vehicles vandalised.

Police have however denied responsibility for the killings even as locals insist they were

The mob also invaded the Nyatike DCC’s offices, leaving a trail of destruction.

In the ensuing chaos, police are reported to have shot two people. Locals claim that soaring insecurity in the area has left at least three business owners attacked and shot by thugs, with little response from authorities.

Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed said: “We are angered because within 24 hours we have lost 3 people below 25 years, and we have a government in place. This is not what we want from the State, we are not going to allow that. Before we leave tonight these policemen in this station must leave. Kwa hii forest kuna watu wameletwa kulinda forest…tunataka kujua wanalinda nini kwa forest na majambazi wakiua watu na kutorokea kwa hiyo forest hawashikwi.”

Rehema Achieng, a resident of Macalder, said: “Mi mwanzo walikuwa wameiba vitu zangu za duka, sasa sasa sina duka…punde si punde mtoto pia ambaye anatafuta vitu zake zimsaidie kwa maisha pia wamemshoot jana…tulikuwa tunataka kwenda kwa polisi, tujue ni nini shida, sasa polisi wameanza kushoot watu na wameua mtoto mwenye alifaa kwenda university.”

What started as a peaceful protest turned violent before escalating into an attack on government institutions.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has since warned those responsible for the attack.

“Anyone involved in any criminality must face the full force of the law. Whether you are an elected leader or an aspiring leader or a businessman, that we will not allow Kenyans or anyone for that matter to take the law into their own hands,” said the PS.

Locals say Migori has become a safe haven for armed criminals, with laxity by security agencies allowing them to operate with impunity.

This failure to act has left countless families in agony, their loved ones either injured or killed in brazen attacks.