Gov’t Orders Probe into Killing of Leeds University Student Carilton Maina in Nairobi

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has directed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to carry out speedy investigations into the killing of Leeds University student Carilton David Maina by police officers in Kibera.

While police say the 23-year-old was part of a gang that has been terrorizing Line Saba residents, his family and residents maintain Maina is not a criminal.

“The police received a call from the members of the public who said that they were being mugged by a group of youths. It is then that the police acted and shot one on the spot,” says Kilimani OCPD Michael Muchiri. 

Maina, who was on a long holiday, returned to the country recently to visit his family and was allegedly shot dead by police despite having surrendered.

Residents say the electronic and communication engineering student had gone to a nearby joint to watch football when he met his death.

“Carliton had just come for the December holidays then go back to the UK in January. If not for his life being ended by a bullet from a rogue police. Carilton had just come from watching a football match at the nearest movie shop, being a fanatic football fan and as a matter of fact a goalkeeper for his local side FC Interdjinamory from Kenyatta Hospital Estate,” a resident, Collins Onyango says.

Boinnet has assured the public that action will be taken against police officers found culpable of killing Maina.

“We wish to inform the public that the Inspector General of Police has asked IPOA to expedite investigations into the shooting incident that occurred in Kibera within Nairobi County in which one Carlton Maina was shot and fatally injured,” says NPS in a tweet.

“We further wish to assure the public that the service, just like in similar instances in the past, will enforce the outcome of the investigations that IPOA will recommend.”

On its part, IPOA says it will recommend criminal or disciplinary proceedings against any officers found guilty of killing Maina.

“The authority on its own motion immediately launched independent investigations to unravel the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting,” the author says in a statement.