This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
On Monday evening, a shocking incident unfolded in Kangaru, Embu County, where police opened fire on a 14-seater matatu traveling from Meru town to Nairobi.
The driver, John Njuki, sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg and was rushed to the Embu Level Five Hospital for treatment.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at a roadblock in Kangaru, where a senior police officer, identified as a police inspector attached to the Embu West Police Division, allegedly opened fire on the driver.
Passengers on board the matatu claimed that the driver had a dispute with Chuka enforcement officers earlier, who informed Embu police that the driver was in possession of a firearm.
However, a search of the vehicle yielded no firearm, leading to questions about the police's actions.
"Why did the police rush to shoot the driver while he was slowing down? They also searched the car and could not find the alleged firearm," said Kinuthia, the matatu conductor.
Embu County Police Commander Daniel Rukunga has confirmed that investigations into the incident are underway.
