Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-21 19:55:02
A tragic incident occurred in Mukwa village, Kakamega County, where a 22-year-old man was fatally shot by the police on Tuesday, February 20. The events that led to this unfortunate incident unfolded following an altercation between the young man and the police, which eventually resulted in the loss of his life.
According to a police report from Navakholo Police Station, the officers received a distress call from the deceased’s older brother. The brother reported that his younger sibling was threatening to harm their 68-year-old mother. It was further revealed that the suspect, who had a history of drug use, had armed himself with a panga, a knife, and a jembe. He was in pursuit of his mother around the compound with the intention of causing her grievous harm.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they found a frantic mother and the suspect in her pursuit. The police attempted to intervene and calm the suspect, but he directed his anger towards the Officer in Charge of Station (OCS), Kennedy Odongo. The suspect attempted to strike the OCS on the head with the jembe, to which the OCS evaded the blow but sustained two broken fingers in the process as he fell to the ground.
Despite the efforts to de-escalate the situation, the suspect persisted and aimed to harm the OCS, who was still down. In response, the OCS shot the suspect fatally in the chest. Both the suspect and the OCS were rushed to the Navakholo sub-county hospital, where the suspect was declared dead on arrival, and the OCS was attended to and referred to the Kakamega County General Referral Hospital for further treatment.
In the wake of this tragedy, the police have initiated further investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The body of the deceased has been transferred to the Kakamega County General Referral Hospital mortuary where it will await a postmortem examination.
This incident sheds light on the deep-seated issues related to drug abuse and mental health problems within communities. A study conducted in Kwale County in 2022 highlighted drug abuse and mental health problems as leading causes of family breakups and conflicts, indicating a broader societal issue that needs to be addressed.
The study also pointed out other factors that contribute to family instability, such as unemployment, land disputes, lack of food, infertility issues, domestic violence, and the death of parents. It emphasized the importance of parents in providing mentorship and instilling proper life skills in their children, as the lack of guidance can lead to them seeking information from alternative sources.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the complex societal challenges faced by communities and the need for comprehensive support systems to address the root causes of such conflicts. It is essential for authorities and communities to work together to address issues related to drug abuse, mental health, and other social factors that contribute to family conflicts and instability. Only through collective efforts can we hope to prevent such tragic incidents in the future and build stronger, more resilient communities.
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