This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On November 20, 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Mtongwe when a 19-year-old boda boda rider, Leonard Komora, was shot and killed by a soldier outside the Mtongwe naval barracks.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) released a statement later that day, alleging that Komora was trying to forcefully enter a restricted area inside the barracks when he was shot.
According to the KDF, Komora defied warnings and sped towards Lieutenant Colonel Kimaro Estate, which is within the barracks, despite being flagged down by sentries who wanted him to identify himself.
However, interviews with witnesses indicate that Komora had dropped a soldier from the barracks at the gate and was killed as he was turning back to pick more passengers.
Relatives of the deceased, who converged outside the barracks, were blocked by police from viewing Komora's body.
Human rights organisation HAKI Africa has condemned the killing, calling for an investigation and warning trigger-happy officers that they should face the full force of the law if found culpable.
