Homa bay: 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 near the gate of Homa Bay Police Station as a group of mourners, who were passing by, turned rowdy.
According to Kenya News Agency, 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. A witness mentioned that 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.
Homa Bay town Sub-County Police Commander, Jashon Polloh, confirmed the incident, explaining that the woman died from excessive bleeding while undergoing treatment at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital. Polloh noted that the deceased was hit by a stray bullet when she was passing by the gate of the Station. He added that some mourners entered the Station and started throwing stones at officers who were on night duty.
Polloh remarked that mourners had been conducting peaceful processions across Homa Bay town, but it was unfortunate that some individuals threw stones at the Station. He stated, "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."
It was revealed that the lady was returning home from her business when the incident occurred. The Police Boss reported that they have invited the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the matter further. He mentioned that the suspect will be arraigned next week after the 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 stated.