Ipoa probes shooting deaths of six people at Isebania police station

_{The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has launched investigations into the shooting to death of six people by police officers in Migori County.}

_{The shooting took place at  the Isebania police station in Kuria West Sub-county on Thrusday. Several other people were injured after police officers opened fire on a crowd, killing the six as they attempted to disperse a riotous mob.}

_{“Our regional office in Kisumu, on its own motion, yesterday (Friday) morning dispatched a Rapid Response Team to launch investigations into the deaths and injuries. Ipoa calls upon members of the public to maintain peace and observe lawfulness as the authority investigates the matter,” read the Ipoa statement, signed by chairperson Anne Makori.}

_{Accoridng to some reports, police alleged that a group of people in a funeral procession for one Moses Mwangi turned violent as they approached the Isebania police station, complaining about insecurity in the region.}

_{Police claimed the group attacked the police station, armed with machetes and stones. It was said that the group smashed window panes and the armoury and tried to access the cells to free suspects in custody, prompting the officers to shoot at them with live ammunition.}

_{A police report on the incident said, “They started destroying the gates of the cells, demanding the release of all those in custody. After overrunning the officers at the report office, armoury and cells, the officers defended the armoury and prevented the forceful rescue of those in custody, and the theft of firearms, by using live ammunition.”}

_{It was reported that an officer manning the armoury was injured in his right eye during the confrontation.}

_{The bodies of those killed in the incident were taken to the St Akidiva Mindira Mabera Hospital mortuary.}

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