Kariobangi Boy Hit By Stray Bullet While Going To Buy Book, Family Seeks Justice

• Elvis Muya was hit by a stray bullet as he went to buy a book in the nearby shop situated within Kariobangi South
• His uncle, George Kamau, pointed an accusing finger at police, who were at the time dispersing rowdy youths who were protesting eviction
• Starehe Police Commander Fred Abuga said the case is under investigation to determine the cause of the injuries meted on the schoolboy

A family in Kariobangi South in Nairobi is seeking justice after a stray bullet struck their 13-year-old Elvis Muya, leaving him in a critical condition.

How did the bullet strike the boy?

The little boy was on his way to the shop to buy a book when he was hit by the bullet, which his uncle, George Kamau, claimed was fired by one of the police officers who were dispersing rowdy youths protesting against government demolitions.

He claimed the police did not take any action after the incident, forcing residents to step in and rescue the minor.

"They shot Elvis with a live bullet. The bullet was shot in his thigh, and the bullet came through his stomach. The police left him without checking on his status," Kimani narrated.

Kimani said the police were shooting in the air to disperse the rowdy youth who were against the government demolitions across riparian lands along Nairobi River.

The boy was reportedly moved around on a mkokoteni as residents mobilised funds to take him to the hospital.

The youths were making rounds with the body of the boy in a mkokoteni before a phone call was made to his mother, who was informed of the shooting. How inhuman are the police to shoot an innocent boy and leave him for death?" a resident questioned.

According to a report by TV 47, the residents accused the police of using live bullets instead of rubber bullets and leaving the boy critically injured.

"If police want to scare a group of youths, why can't they use rubber bullets? Using live bullets is inhuman," a resident lamented.

Family calls on the government

The grade seven pupil is currently admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital. The family claims they had made reports at the Kariobangi South Police Station, but no action was taken.

"Our child will not get the justice that he deserves; the Kariobangi police have been taking us back and forth. Elvis has been in the ICU for three days the government should step up and pay the bill," Kamau said.

Fred Abuga, Police Commander at Starehe Police Station said investigations are underway to determine whether the injuries are from the bullets or debris from the demolitions.

Kiambu club shooting

In other news, Police in Kiambu are investigating a shooting incident that left a reveller Anthony Njomo dead on Saturday, May 25.

Njomo, an employee at the American Embassy, lost his life after a stray bullet hit him, when two men were fighting over a woman.

The two were arrested and detained for 14 days as investigations continue.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke