23-year-old Samson Mutunga Wambua is seeking justice after a police officer from the Kilimambogo Police Post in Thika East, Kiambu County, shot him in the buttocks while he was in a holding cell. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
G4S guards arrested Wambua and his two friends in Ndula village on accusations of trespassing. They were taken to the Kilimambogo police holding cell. According to Wambua, a police officer emerged from the compound and began whipping the suspects, threatening to injure them. During this confrontation, one of Wambua’s friends started nose bleeding and was released unconditionally, seemingly to cover up the torture.
Wambua, currently recuperating at Thika Level Five Hospital, recounted that the officer, left to guard them by the officer on duty, took his gun and shot him in the buttocks after a torturous session.
Speaking to journalists from his hospital bed, a distraught Wambua called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to help him get justice.
Thika East Sub-County police commander Andrew Sora confirmed the incident. He stated that the suspected officer has since vanished, but efforts are underway to locate him. Sora assured that investigations have commenced and that the law will take its course. “We had pineapple theft suspects at the police post. While at the holding area, one of the officers shot Samson Mutunga Wambua in the buttocks. We took him to the hospital, where he is undergoing treatment in stable condition. The officer went missing, but we will arrest him. Investigations have commenced and the law will take its course,” Sora said.
Residents and local leaders have condemned the shooting. Wambua’s mother, Stella Wanzila, who is widowed and relies on Wambua as the family’s breadwinner, has called on Kindiki to intervene.
Ngoliba Ward Member of County Assembly Joakim Njama also condemned the incident. He called on higher police authorities to ensure justice is served and urged Interior CS Kindiki to restore sanity in the police service, highlighting that rogue officers are tarnishing the image of the entire force.
