Police shot a man at Mulika market in Tigania East, Meru county, on Wednesday night after a confrontation that residents and officers described differently.
The man, identified only as Kinyua, was said to have emerged from his house armed with a panga and threatened officers who had responded to a domestic dispute. Neighbour Charles Mutwiri said the officers arrived after residents alerted them to a quarrel between Kinyua and his wife.
According to Mutwiri, one officer fired and hit Kinyua on the leg and head. Residents later said they did not know where he had been taken.
Tigania East police boss Samuel Kosgei said Kinyua was shot in the leg, treated at a hospital in Mulika and discharged. Chief Joseph Kiriamana also said the man survived and rejected claims that he had died from the injuries.
“He was shot in between the toe and knees. He is in a bandage. He is in the police cells,” the chief said.
The shooting revived memories of another fatal incident in the area a month earlier, when a 28-year-old man from Kiguma village, Kaaria Murungi, was shot dead by an AP officer.
Meru police boss David Kirui said two officers had gone to arrest Murungi over a theft complaint. He said the suspect charged at them and tried to slash them.
Kirui said the dispute involved money and a phone that was supposed to be returned after repayment. He said Murungi went to demand the phone before clearing the debt.
Chief Josiah Mutuma gave a different account. He said confusion arose after a phone charging dealer, Japhet Kirimi alias Muilio, gave Murungi the wrong phone.
“He had taken his phone for charging. Another customer, who shared the same name, had also taken his phone for charging. Both phones were labelled Kaaria,” Mutuma said.
Mutuma said the complainant reported the matter to police, who pursued Murungi. He added that he was not at the scene and had only been informed by his assistant chief.
“So, I can't say what transpired that led to him to being shot,” the chief said.
Murungi was shot in the stomach and died while being taken to hospital.
