Muhoroni MP James Onyango Koyoo has called for an independent investigation into the death of a man who was reportedly shot near a bar in Masogo, Kisumu County.
James Ngeso Ojina was shot shortly after midnight on Thursday near Honolulu Bar in Masogo, North East Kano Sub-County, according to police and local officials.
Koyoo called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
In a statement, the MP said preliminary information reaching his office alleged that a serving police officer, reportedly the officer commanding Masogo Police Station, was involved in the shooting.
Koyoo said investigators should establish what happened before, during and after the shooting, identify those who were present and secure CCTV footage and other evidence.
He also called for an examination of the firearm allegedly used and an assessment of whether the use of force was lawful and in line with police procedures.
Police said the shooting happened after Ojina allegedly attacked a security guard at Honolulu Bar with a machete.
Muhoroni Sub-County Police Commander Otieno Ombaka said the officer commanding Masogo Police Station was on patrol when Ojina allegedly charged at him while armed with a panga.
The OCS was on patrol during the incident. The victim had first attacked a watchman at Honolulu Bar,” Ombaka said.
He said IPOA had taken over the investigation and had recorded statements from the officer, Ojina’s family and the watchman.
Koyoo urged authorities to preserve evidence and protect witnesses from intimidation or harassment.
He said Ojina’s family deserved justice and the truth about what happened, while stressing that anyone implicated should be given due process and not be presumed guilty before investigations were completed.
Ombaka appealed for calm as the investigation continued.
“Let’s maintain peace and calm. We should let the law take its course. If the OCS is in the wrong, the law will take its course, or if the victim was in the wrong, then the same law will apply,” he said.
Koyoo also appealed for calm among residents of Masogo, North East Kano and the wider Kisumu County.
“Where the investigations establish culpability, the law must take its course without fear or favour,” he said.
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