By Betty Luke
Three police officers who were part of a team providing security during the anti-Finance Bill protests were injured after a clash with protesters in Isiolo town.
County Police Commander Moses Mutisya said the officers suffered injuries from stones thrown at them by the residents who had joined the rest of the country in the protests that sought to compel MPs to reject the Finance bill 2024 which was later passed by the House.
The officers were treated at a local health facility and discharged and are in stable condition.
Four police vehicles, including the county commander’s land cruiser, were damaged during the incident that also left six residents nursing gunshot wounds.
“The vehicles had their windscreens shattered before we managed to evacuate them to safety. Police had to intervene to restore calmness,” Mr Mutisya told journalists.
According to the police boss, the protests were largely peaceful but turned chaotic after protesters started throwing stones inside the Woman Representative’s office forcing police to intervene.
“The protesters later lit tyres and barricaded the Isiolo-Moyale highway,” he said.
Mr Mutisya has called on residents planning to engage in similar protests in future not to infringe into other people’s rights.
“We are committed to ensuring the security of protesters but they should also ensure they hold their protests in a peaceful manner. Lighting fire and blocking roads is not part of a peaceful protest,” he added.
This comes amid numerous calls for justice for the injured residents by local residents and human rights activists.
“Nothing can justify the use of excessive force by police against unarmed individuals. Action must be taken against the police officer (s) who fired live bullets injuring the six protesters,” said Mr Ahmed Nassir.
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