After the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched investigations into the shooting incident that left at least five residents dead in Kolongolo, Trans Nzoia County, Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has said that the IPOA report must be made accessible. The fatal shooting on Sunday, 16th December drew public uproar. Police officers had been sent to arrest a domestic violence suspect, but tensions rose as villagers tried to come to the rescue of the suspect, who, according to an eyewitness, was being roughed up by the officers, and that the officers opened fire when residents intervened. Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker Joshua Werunga was also injured as he rushed to the scene to calm the situation.
After the incident, in a statement, IPOA said investigations have been launched into the incident with a view of unraveling the circumstances that led to the fatal shootings, injuries and more and whether the officers were justified in the use of the firearms, and action will be taken against those found culpable. Now, Trans Nzoia Governor Khaemba has said everything must be exposed, “We need to get the IPOA report, so that we can read, we don’t want them to hide anything,” he said, “We were there and we know what transpired. If they hide anything I’ll look for a lawyer and take the issue to Court.” He added that the events on that day are so painful and the truth must be totally unraveled. He further urged human rights bodies to conduct their won investigations into the incident, “I repeat that they must go to the scene and conduct their own investigations.”