A procession to mourn former Prime Minister Raila Odinga turned tragic after a woman was shot dead in Homa Bay town.
The woman identified as Lucy Okech was reportedly shot dead near the gate of Homa Bay Police Station as a group of mourners, who were passing by, turned rowdy.
Witnesses said a police officer shot three times, as the mourners staged their procession at the gate.
The group was holding a procession around town following the demise of Raila.
“The group was chanting Jowi! Jowi! as they mourned Raila near the Police Station before an officer fired at the crowd, hitting the woman on the thigh,” a witness said.
Homa Bay town Sub-County Police Commander, Jashon Polloh, confirmed the incident, saying the woman died from excessive bleeding, as she was undergoing treatment at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
He said the deceased was hit by a stray bullet when she was passing by the gate of the Station.
Polloh said some mourners entered the Station and started throwing stones at officers who were on night duty.
Polloh said mourners have been conducting peaceful procession across Homa Bay town, but it was unfortunate that some people threw stones at the Station.
“Some bad elements infiltrated the peaceful processors. The lady fell after being hit by a stray bullet as she was passing by the gate of the Station,” Polloh said.
The lady was returning home from her business when the incident occurred.
The Police Boss said they have invited the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), to investigate the matter.
He said the suspect will be arraigned next week after completion of investigations.
“The Officer has been arrested and is in a police cell, awaiting questioning before being arraigned. IPOA has come in to help us pursue the matter,” he said.
By Davis Langat
