Parents of Magena Boys and Girls Secondary Schools have expressed concern for their children’s safety as tension gripped Magena town following the arrest of a suspect linked to the killing of businessman Geoff Nyakundi.
Following the arrest, residents demanded that the suspect be handed over to them and attempted to forcefully remove him from Magena Police Station with the intention of lynching him. The standoff quickly escalated, with an angry crowd confronting police officers and calling for instant justice.
The confrontation between the police and members of the public brought business activities in the town to a standstill. Shopkeepers and pedestrians fled the chaos and sought refuge at the two schools, spreading fear and panic that persisted throughout Friday and into Saturday morning.
Parents reported that learning was disrupted as students and members of the public converged on the school compounds in search of safety.
Police were forced to fire shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore calm. The move scattered the agitated mob and allowed officers to regain control of the station while maintaining custody of the suspect. Security has since been reinforced in the area as investigations continue.
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Area Chief Onesmus Onyambu has assured parents that their children are safe and urged residents to allow the law to take its course. He warned that mob justice only risks further loss of life and property and called on the community to remain calm as investigations proceed.
By Enock Okongó
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