Nyamira: Angry Locals Set Itibo Police Station Ablaze after Student Was Shot Dead by Cop
- Students from Nyamira National Polytechnic staged protests over the poor state of roads and the lack of electricity
- However, the protests turned chaotic after the students clashed with officers from the Itibo Police Station
- Videos and photos from the scene show how violent the incident was, as the station was badly damaged
- Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, governance expert Alfred Makotsi linked protester-police tensions to deeper unresolved socio-economic grievances
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nyamira - Chaos has erupted in North Mugirango following the shooting of a student on Tuesday, July 8.
Source: Facebook
Students from Nyamira National Polytechnic were protesting the poor state of roads, lack of electricity and bad governance when the incident occurred.
What caused violence in Nyamira?
Police officers from Itibo Patrol Base were called in to contain the demonstrations, and in the process, one student aged 19 was shot dead and another person was hospitalised.
Angry students and locals stormed the Itibo Patrol Base in Bonyunyu, looted it and torched it.
According to eyewitnesses, houses used by officers were also vandalised and looted during the chaos.
Authorities confirmed that no firearms were stolen and that all weapons in the station’s armory remained secure.
Joash Nyamache Nyamoko, the Member of Parliament for North Mugirango Constituency, issued a statement on his Facebook page, condemning the incident.
Nyamoko said the violence witnessed in Itibo was regrettable, arguing that nothing can justify the loss of life and property.
"The violent acts witnessed yesterday at Itibo are regrettable. I call for tolerance and calmness as we sort out the matter. There is nothing that can justify the loss of life and property," Nyamoko said.
He called on stakeholders to maintain peace, adding that security agencies should refrain from using excessive force on protesters.
The lawmaker further urged the students to exercise their constitutional right to protest without destroying property.
"I call upon every stakeholder, including the county government, to play their role so that such issues don't escalate to the extent of losing lives and property. I call upon the security agencies to refrain from using excessive force. To students, as you express your rights, I beseech you to avoid destroying any property. We all need to peacefully co-exist," the lawmaker added.
Source: Facebook
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, governance expert Alfred Makotsi observed that the rising tensions between protesters and security forces reflect a deeper systemic problem linked to unresolved socio-economic grievances.
He noted that the heavy-handed response by law enforcement is not only unlawful but also counterproductive in managing youth-led protests.
“Excessive use of force against unarmed protesters, especially students, only fuels more anger and erodes public trust in institutions. Police reforms must go beyond paper and translate into real behavioural change on the ground,” Makotsi told TUKO.co.ke.
Who torched the Mawego Police Station?
In other news, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested seven suspects linked to the arson attack at Mawego Police Station.
DCI arrested Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi Opiyo, David Bill Clinton Otieno, Robert Ouko Abala, and Samuel Ouma Odhiambo.
The seven are accused of torching the station while protesting the killing of Albert Omondi Ojwang.
On Tuesday, July 8, the seven suspects were arraigned before the Oyugis Law Courts by detectives from Rachuonyo North Sub-County.
The prosecution told the court that the seven suspects are the ringleaders behind the coordinated attack, carried out in collaboration with other accomplices who remain at large.
The court granted detectives a seven-day custodial order to allow for the completion of ongoing investigations.
Have police arrested Saba Saba rioters?
Early this week, seven suspects accused of planning and funding the chaotic Saba Saba protests were arrested and charged with various counts of offences ranging from arson attack to terrorism.
They include Manyatta MP John Mukunji and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) youth leaders Peter Kawanjiru and Wanjiru Thiga, all close allies of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
In Kirinyaga, four suspects accused of torching the Kirinyaga Central CDF offices were arraigned at the Kerugoya Law Courts to face arson charges. Two others who faced charges related to breaking into and stealing from a county supermarket in Kagumo town appeared before the same court.
In Embu, three individuals were brought before the Embu Law Courts to answer charges of entering a building with the intent to commit a felony.
In Meru, five suspects were arraigned at Tigania Law Courts and charged with obstructing the movement of vehicles on a public road. They all pleaded not guilty and were granted cash bail of KSh 30,000 or a bond of KSh 50,000.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a total of 30 suspects were also arraigned before various courts within Nairobi County for offences committed during the protests.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and politics, updated this article with details on the arrest and arraignment of Saba Saba protesters.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Amos Khaemba (Current affairs editor) Amos Khaemba is an accredited journalist and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He holds a degree in Communication and Journalism from Moi University having graduated in 2015. Attended training by Google News Initiative Journalism. Has over 2 years of experience in the digital media industry. Previously worked at Kenya News Agency and Kivumbi.co.ke. Email: amos.khaemba@tuko.co.ke
Alfred Makotsi (Governance and Policy Expert) Alfred is a dynamic and experienced professional with over seven years of expertise in youth engagement, governance, and advocacy.
