Friday, March 31, 2023 –A police officer in Kisumu has succumbed to stone injuries after protesters pulled and hit him on the chest with a stone propelled from a homemade giant catapult.
The stone was pelted during the Thursday chapter anti-government protests held in all major cities around the country.
The victim, Ben Oduor, attached to Keroka Police Station in Nyamira County, died at the Kisumu Aga Khan Hospital’s intensive care unit ICU on Thursday night.
Making this confirmation today Friday March 31, Nyanza Regional Police Commander Noah Mwivanda, said the corporal was hit by people who used a giant homemade catapult and stones as they engaged the police in hours of running battles.
“Our security officers have embarked on a massive search for the catapult, which we have now classified as a lethal weapon,” he said.
Due to its size, the huge forked stick, with an elastic band tied to the two prongs, was used by up to four rioters to throw stones at police officers who were trying to quell them during a raid at Jamia Supermarket.
“This weapon is also dangerous to the people who use it. We call upon any member of the public with any information on where it can be found to report to the nearest police station,” he said.
Corporal Oduor was among security officers who were called up to provide reinforcement in Kisumu County, where the opposition’s Azimio coalition has a strong base.
Politicians led by Azimio chief Raila Odinga have scheduled a twin protest every week to compel the government to meet their demands.
Raila, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka and their troops want prices of commodities lowered as well as a balanced Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC.
The victim’s body was taken to the Aga Khan Hospital mortuary.