KTN journalists Duncan Khaemba and Otieno Willis have been taken into police custody, reportedly over the possession of bullet proof gear. The two who were covering Kibra protests Saturday morning have been taken for questioning at Kilimani police station.
A charge sheet is yet to be issued but reports reaching the Standard Digital indicate that the two have been accused of being in possession of unlicensed bullet proof gear. The Standard Group has however confirmed that the gear in question is dully licensed.
Before they were taken into custody, Khaemba and Willis were filing live reports from Kibra where riots broke out after the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta winner of the August 8 General Election.
Hours after the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta as winner of the 2017 election, incidents of riots, destruction of property and death have been reported across Nyanza and parts of Nairobi. Police have been battling protestors in Kisumu, Mathare and Kibera. It is feared that six people may have died from gunshots wounds on Friday night.
Police in Kisumu, Siaya, Bondo, Homa Bay and Migori are engaging crowds in running battles. Roads have been blocked and businesses burnt down. KTN News reporters on Saturday morning went to Kibera and the reporter could hear gunshots in the air. All major roads in most parts of Nyanza remained impassable with people remaining indoors.
In Kisumu, a doctor said he had seen four bodies with bullet wounds at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital but the County Police Commandant, Titus Yoma denied the report, saying he could only confirm one death- which occurred at Dago, in Maseno.
Shot dead
“We only know of one death,” Mr Yoma told the Standard on Saturday morning. Another death was reported by the Kisumu West Member of the County Assembly, Mr Paul Okiri. Vincent Ochieng’ was shot dead as police tried to contain rowdy youth at Dago market in Kisumu. Family members however said that the 19-year old was returning to their Ulalo home after watching an English Premier League football match when he was shot.
Okiri said there were protests following the presidential declaration and youths had engaged police in running battles throughout the night.
In Siaya, a body of a boda boda rider was discovered this morning near the offices of the Siaya County Women representative, Dr Christine Ombaka and residents say he may have been a victim of battles between the police and the local residents.
