Kenya Police Shoots to Death 13-Year-old in Coronovirus Curfew Tragedy

Police enforcing curfew in Kenya’s capital Nairobi are accused of fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy on the family’s balcony.

Yassin Moyo, his five siblings and his mother were seated on their balcony on Monday evening. They were amazed by how the usually busy streets were so quiet – when a  bullet suddenly whizzed their way.

Yassin’s father, Yusuf Moyo, said two shots were fired at his building. One struck his son in the stomach.

“I was watching news at around 7.20pm at a friend’s house, while Yassin and my wife who was feeding our one-year-old child were seated at the balcony. Then  I heard gunshots,” he said.

Moyo heard his wife screaming and rushed to his house where he found Yassin wounded, gasping for breath.

“With help from neighbours, I took him to Mama Lucy Hospital at around 8pm, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit,” he said.

Yasmin died at 3am on Tuesday, while undergoing surgery.

Moyo said he did not immediately record the incident at Huruma police station as the OCS was not around and he was instructed to return at a later time.

“Where is our safety if not in our own homes? We want justice for my boy. We know nobody can bring my son back to life but I hope the perpetrator does not go unpunished,” he said.

The 13-year-old boy was buried on Tuesday at Kariakor Muslim cemetery.

Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai has directed DCI chief George Kinoti to inquire into the death. He further asked the DCI to conduct a forensic analysis of all firearms held by police officers on duty within Huruma.

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has also ordered police to forward him the file for action after investigation.

This killing is the third death allegedly caused by police while enforcing curfew that started on Friday last week. Their widespread gratuitous violence caused public outrage.

The 7pm to 5am curfew is intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus.