Tension gripped Kapchorwa in Nandi County after a 20-year-old man was shot dead by a police officer during a violent confrontation between residents and law enforcement. The incident occurred as residents clashed with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers who were arresting individuals accused of engaging in illicit brewing activities within the Kipkurere and Kapchorwa forest zones.
The confrontation was sparked when two individuals suspected of making illicit brews were arrested and detained at a KFS station. News of the arrests quickly spread, prompting hundreds of residents to storm the station in a bid to free the detainees. The situation escalated rapidly as residents demanded the release of the suspects, leading to running battles between the locals and police officers.
Amid the chaos, 20-year-old Daniel Kiptoo was fatally shot. Witnesses claimed that police resorted to using live ammunition to disperse the crowd, resulting in Kiptoo being struck in the chest. Many residents expressed outrage, arguing that the demonstrators were unarmed and merely protesting against what they described as arbitrary arrests and mistreatment by the authorities.
As tensions mounted, the protesting residents overwhelmed the officers, broke into the KFS station, and successfully freed the two detainees. In the aftermath, the enraged crowd proceeded to destroy property at the station, setting buildings on fire, including the destruction of the Kenyan flag and various personal items. Tree seedlings from a garden at the station were also looted during the rampage.
Community members voiced serious concerns over the incident, particularly the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. Accusations were made that abuses within the KFS cells, including torture and unlawful detention, were common and often went unpunished. Human rights advocates and local leaders have called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kiptoo’s death.
In response to public outcry, law enforcement authorities confirmed that three KFS officers had been arrested in connection with the incident. Legal proceedings are set to commence, with the officers scheduled to be arraigned in court on Monday morning. The move is seen as an effort to ensure accountability and address growing community anger.
The body of Daniel Kiptoo has been transferred to Nandi Hills morgue, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Authorities indicated that the findings from the postmortem would form a crucial part of the ongoing investigations.
The shooting has reignited broader concerns over the conduct of law enforcement officers in the region, particularly during operations involving the enforcement of laws against illicit brewing. Residents are calling for reforms to curb what they see as excessive use of force and to ensure that the rights of civilians are protected even during police operations.
As investigations continue, the community remains tense, with calls for justice and demands for better policing practices growing louder.
