A police officer has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a woman during a night vigil held in honour of the late Raila Odinga.
The incident occurred late Friday evening at Homa Bay town, casting a shadow over the nationwide mourning for the former Prime Minister.
County Police Commander Lawrence Koklem recounted that the shooting happened just minutes before 9 pm in the evening.
He explained that a group of people had approached the police station compound twice. While the first pass was peaceful, tensions escalated during the second attempt.
“I came to realise that one of our officers shot at the people who were going across,” Koklem said, noting that some individuals in the crowd appeared to have hostile intentions rather than simply mourning.
The county police commander noted that the crowd resisted police attempts to control the situation, throwing stones and ignoring warning commands.
Officers fired rounds into the air in an effort to disperse the group.
Tragically, a stray bullet struck a female resident of Homa Bay who was passing by after attending to her business. She was rushed to a local hospital, but Koklem confirmed she passed away at around 2 a.m.
“In the event, just through bad luck, a stray bullet hit a female resident of Homa Bay town who was just passing by doing her own business. We took her to the hospital for medication, but through bad luck, she passed on at around 2 in the morning,” he said.
Authorities emphasised that the shooting was accidental, occurring amid efforts to maintain order during a highly emotional gathering.
The police have arrested the officer involved and launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Koklem confirmed the officer involved is now in custody. “For the safety of the officer involved, he is currently in custody,” he said, noting that the police have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement during large-scale public gatherings, particularly as communities across Homa Bay and the wider Nyanza region continue to mourn Raila Odinga.
Known for his decades-long leadership, political activism, and role in Kenya’s democratic journey, Raila’s death has mobilised thousands of mourners across the country, including at public viewings in Kisumu and Nairobi.
