Meru family demand justice after 16-year-old Grade 10 learner is allegedly shot dead

The family, siblings and residents of a Meru town suburb are demanding justice after a 16-year-old boy was allegedly shot dead over the weekend. Some of them allege that police officers were responsible.

The boy, identified by his family as Franklin Munene, was a Grade 10 learner. According to family sources, he was returning home from an errand near the Kwathambi area, at Gitimbine shopping centre, when he was shot.

Siblings and residents of Majengo estate in Meru town protested and marched to Meru Police Station to demand justice. They alleged that officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Meru were responsible. The allegation has not been confirmed, and the source does not provide a police response.

Security agencies in Meru County have launched a manhunt for the suspects in the killing, according to the report.

The residents say their efforts to learn how the investigations are progressing have not succeeded.

"Security officers have remained tight-lipped over the incident by failing to provide any updates on the case. We just want the truth about the incident revealed since the government has enough mechanism to handle it," said one resident.

The family and residents said that when they went to the police station, the area Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) and the DCI officer in charge were reportedly out of the office.

Addressing the media in Meru town, advocate Kuria K said officers who visited the scene did not secure it properly and did not recover spent cartridges.

"The post-mortem examination was yet to be done on the deceased's body. Police officers who visited the scene of crime also failed to secure it properly. Even the spent cartridges were not recovered by that time," the lawyer said.

The boy's body was taken to the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary. The family is waiting for the post-mortem examination and further developments.

The family and residents described Franklin as an innocent young boy with a promising future.

"He was in Grade 10 with a dream of pursuing his education. He was also outgoing despite hailing from a humble background. We are now calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Those found responsible should be held accountable by facing the full force of the law," said a villager.