Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has challenged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to make public the findings of an inquest into the killing of five people after the police reportedly sprayed resident with bullet under unclear circumstances.
The governor demanded for answers in incident in which the police indiscriminately opened fire on protesting residents during a tragic confrontation that left scores with bullet wounds.
Khaemba threatened to seek legal redress if details of the report were not made public to establish the circumstances under which the security agencies opted to use excessive force against the residents.
He also asked the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to thoroughly carry out independent to ensure that any form of violations to the fundamental rights of the citizenry were recorded for further action.
Khaemba made the appeal in Kitale town when he met the bereaved family members of victims of the alleged police brutality in Kolongolo where he donated Sh.100 000 to each of the five families that lost their loved ones.
Five people died and scores others were injured during the incident.
The governor condemned the incident noting that police overstepped their mandate of protecting residents and ended up killing them.
He asked IPOA and other relevant agencies to issue a communication on some officials who had earlier supported the shooting incident adding that the Kenyan constitution does not allow violation of human rights.
The Governor asked the government to expedite the transfer of police officers from Kolongolo police post after concluding a forensic audit of the officers involved in heinous act of brutality.
last Wednesday the county government officials met the families of the victims to finalize funeral arrangements where it was resolved that a joint mass would be held at Kolongolo market on the 27th of December before each family proceeded to bury their departed kin.
Earlier, the families of the victim had threatened to suspend the burial arrangements until justice was served but the intervention by the county government helped to cool rising tempers.
The governor asked political leaders to be calm and shun politicking during the funeral and instead assist the affected families.
By Moses Wekesa
