NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 27 – One person was killed and three others seriously wounded when police opened fire to quell chaos in Nairobi’s Kibera slum on Wednesday afternoon.
The 24-year-old man was shot in the chest and stomach and died on the spot during running battles occasioned by a clash between two groups that participated in an election for a union in the area.
According to police, violence broke out when supporters of one group clashed with another, leading to violent chaos.
“People were carrying some elections here, that is when chaos started and there was an all out war before police intervened,” a witness said.
Police officers sent to quell the chaos opened fire and shot dead a 24-year-old man believed to have been part of the protesters.
Three others were wounded and were admitted to hospital. Two police officers also sustained injuries after the protesters hit them with stones.
Kilimani divisional Police chief Bernard Muli said a probe had been launched to establish if the officers sent to quell the chaos were justified to use live ammunition.
“The spent cartridges collected from the scene have been submitted for ballistic examination so that we can know who fired at the man. We are also investigating if they were justified to use their firearms,” Mr Muli said.
There were reports that the crowd that charged at the police may have been armed and could have fired at their colleague.
“We cannot rule that out at all, an investigation will establish the truth,” he added.
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