This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
On Wednesday evening, Hillary Kirui, a 31-year-old clinical officer, was shot in the leg by police enforcing night movement restrictions in Bureti, Kenya. He was on his way home from work at Tenwek Mission Hospital, where he is also admitted for treatment.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has taken up the case and demanded justice for the medic. Jacqueline Ingutia, the KNCHR director in charge of Western Kenya region, petitioned the National Police Service to promptly investigate the shooting and take action against the officer responsible.
According to Ms. Ingutia, the clinical officer is a listed essential service provider by virtue of his profession, and it behooves the police officer to check the facts before the shooting.
However, Felicia Nafula, the Bureti OCPD, claimed that the medic was hit by a stray bullet when police fired in the air to disperse a group of rowdy Cheborgei youth who were defying orders to go home after the onset of the dusk to dawn curfew imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Sharon Cheptoo, a sister to Kirui’s, disputed the police account, stating that the family was home at 7:10pm when they heard the clinical officer screaming for help after he was hit by the bullet.
