Homa Bay residents protest alleged police brutality

Homa Bay, Kenya: Residents of Kopiyo village in Konuonga location, Homa Bay County took to the streets to protest against police brutality following the death of two men in the area.

The residents accused police officers based at Karachuonyo Police Station of shielding forest guards whom they accuse of killing innocent people.

“Zachary Obudo and Maurice Ounda had gone to hunt rabbits in Kodera forest where they were ambushed and killed in cold blood. But investigations have been compromised because the police want to protect the killers,” Collins Odongo, a relative of Obudo said.

He added, “I know that a corporal was assigned to investigate the matter but he has been bribed with Sh40, 000 and has since stopped doing the job.”

The residents appealed to Karachuonyo OCPD Patricia Nasio to assign the investigation to a different officer and urgently transfer the said officer.

The residents vowed not to bury the two men whose bodies are lying at Karachuonyo District Hospital Mortuary until the corporal is transferred and the two forest guards are arrested and prosecuted.

“We are giving the OCPD a two-day ultimatum to handle this matter or we will storm the police station and bury the bodies there in protest,” said Juma Kodongo, a villager.

However, the area OCPD appealed for calm and promised to act on the matter.

“Let wananchi not take law into their hands. We will investigate the matter but I am appealing to anyone with information on the bribery claim to come forward and furnish me with the information. Police officers are employed to uphold law, protect Kenyans and not kill or take bribes,” Ms Nasio said.