This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
Enunice Cheptanui, a widow from Sossiot village, is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband, Lazarus Tirop, who was shot dead by a police officer on Thursday morning in Lessos, Nandi County.
According to eyewitnesses, Tirop, a 40-year-old cobbler, was shot dead along the Lessos-Moi University Road for allegedly flouting COVID-19 regulations. However, his sister, Caroline Cheruto, has dismissed claims that he was killed for not wearing a mask, saying he always had one on.
Cheruto also claimed that Tirop's mistake was only that he requested the police to release a boda boda rider who had been arrested. She described her brother as a non-violent person who was living with a disability but still managed to provide for his family.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua has ordered the transfer of all police officers attached to Lessos Police Station, as well as the Nandi East sub-County Police Commander David Nyabuto. Mbugua also ordered an audit of suspects being held at the police station and the release of petty offenders.
Residents have claimed that a police officer who allegedly shot Tirop was transferred to Nandi Hills Police Station within the same county. The incident brings the number of people shot dead by the police in Nandi to six.
Enunice Cheptanui has called on security agencies to investigate the killing of her husband and take action against those who took part. She described how her husband had laid out plans to build a new and bigger house for their family, but was cut short by his death.
Published on June 27, 2020, at 3:00 AM.
