The incident where a police officer allegedly shot dead a staff member attached to ODM acting Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo during chaotic protests in Busia Town on Tuesday, has triggered outrage among residents and local leaders.
The deceased, identified as Frederick Odiwuor, popularly known as ‘Papa’, is said to have been caught in the middle of confrontations between residents and police officers following demonstrations linked to rising fuel prices.
Residents claimed the situation escalated after angry youths stormed Busia Police Station over an earlier shooting incident, prompting police officers to fire shots to disperse the crowd.
Omanyo confirmed the death on Wednesday morning, expressing sorrow over the loss of her staff member while demanding justice and accountability from authorities.
“I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of my staff member Frederick Odiwuor (Papa),” Omanyo noted.
“Papa succumbed to a bullet fired by a police officer in Busia. I am personally following up on the matter with the relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this incident are addressed and justice is pursued,” she added.
Locals claimed that Odiwuor operated a barber shop within Busia Town and had reportedly left his home after hearing claims that suspected goons were planning to vandalise his business premises amid the unrest.
Residents said he headed towards Busia Police Station to report the matter, only to find tension already high as crowds gathered outside the station following another alleged police shooting.
During the confusion, police allegedly opened fire, and Odiwuor was struck by a bullet.
Witnesses claimed he attempted to flee from the scene before he was allegedly shot a second time from behind, with the bullet hitting the left side of his chest near the heart.
The second gunshot reportedly paralysed him moments before he succumbed to the injuries, as shocked residents attempted to rescue him from the scene.
“The deceased left the house some moments ago, and after a short time, I received a call that someone I knew was among those shot by police. On the way, I suspected something sinister despite the caller’s assurances that he was still alive. When I arrived, I found him completely cold,” a relative of the deceased narrated.
Another resident who witnessed the incident accused police of using excessive force, claiming the officers did not give Odiwuor a chance to explain why he had gone to the station.
“When he arrived there, the police did not inquire from him what had brought him there.
What he heard was the first gunshot. He soon attempted to run away, and while escaping, he was shot for the second time, this time from behind,” the resident claimed.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah condemned the incident, terming the events in Busia Town painful and deeply disturbing, while calling for immediate investigations by the Interior Ministry, IPOA, and DCI into the fatal shooting.
