Nyandarua in Flames: Furious Locals Burn Police Station After Boda Rider Shot
What started as a peaceful protest in Ndunyu, Nyandarua County, spiraled into an inferno. On Thursday evening, enraged residents burned down a local police post after an officer allegedly shot a boda boda rider during demonstrations.
The victim, said to be part of a crowd protesting rampant cattle theft, was critically injured when police reportedly opened fire.
Cattle Theft Sparks Outrage
Earlier in the day, police officers arrested three individuals suspected of stealing livestock. The suspects were being held at the station awaiting arraignment. But villagers, already frustrated by recurring thefts, demanded that the suspects be handed over to them for what they termed “community discipline.”
Amid the growing tension, one officer allegedly shot the boda rider. The shooting instantly ignited chaos.
Residents Demand Justice
Soon after the shooting, the villagers stormed the station, setting it ablaze. Videos and photos that quickly spread online showed flames consuming the station as the crowd cheered from a distance.
“We wanted justice, not murder,”
one protester was heard shouting in a viral video.“The police are meant to protect us, not shoot us like animals,”
added another demonstrator, visibly shaken.“If they can shoot him today, they can shoot any of us tomorrow,”
lamented a local elder.
Victim Rushed to Hospital
The injured boda boda rider was immediately taken to North Kinangop Hospital. Medical reports indicate he remains in critical condition. Residents, however, vow to continue demanding accountability.
“We will not be silenced. We want that officer arrested,”
a youth leader stated.“This is not the first time the police have acted with violence. We’re tired,”
he added.
Government Yet to Respond
As of now, the National Police Service has not released any official statement. Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent comments have further fueled public fury.
“I have said that anyone who attempts to approach a police station should be shot down,”
Murkomen told journalists on Thursday.“We will not tolerate people who attack police officers,”
he added.“The problem is, these criminals are arrested, then released, and they come back to mock the officers,”
he continued.
Unrest Grows Amid Silence
Tension remains high in Nyandarua. With no word from the authorities, residents feel abandoned and unheard. The question now is: Will justice be served, or will silence deepen the cracks of public trust?
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Nyandarua in Flames: Furious Locals Burn Police Station After Boda Rider Shot
