Family and friends of Samuel Mutua Mulwa, a 56-year-old man who was fatally shot by a police officer in a puzzling incident, are crying out for justice after their loved one succumbed to gunshot injuries while being rushed to Makindu Hospital in Makueni County.

The tragic event unfolded last Sunday at the border of Makueni and Kajiado counties. The case was reported at Masimba Police Station. 

According to an eyewitness, a relative who was traveling with the deceased, the suspected officer Alfred Awasi, a police cpl at the Emali Police Training College fired nine bullets towards the driver’s side of their vehicle. 

One of the bullets struck Mutua in the right side of his torso, piercing into his lungs and causing fatal internal bleeding.

Despite frantic efforts to save him, his life could not be salvaged.

A postmortem confirmed that Mutua died from massive bleeding that collapsed his lungs.

The family and neighbours are now left with questions about why such excessive force was used against an unarmed man whose alleged offense remains unclear.

Investigators from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have since launched a probe into the matter. 

Already, evidence points to the involvement of two vehicles, one belonging to the late Mutua and another used by the officer and his colleagues. 

The family and the wider community are demanding swift answers and firm legal action to ensure justice is served.

Speaking to TV47 Digital, family and friends led by Alex Mulelo, a brother of the deceased and Joseph Kikuto an area Youth Leader said Mutua was a pillar of strength, a hardworking provider, and a kind soul who touched many lives.

His death has left a painful void and his loved ones insist that his blood must not be shed in vain. 

They want this tragedy to mark a turning point in how citizens are protected by those entrusted with their safety, rather than harmed by them.