Former police Spokesperson Charles Owino has claimed key online influencers leaders and planners of Gen Z protests in the country. Photo: Citizen TV.
Former police spokesperson Charles Owino has claimed that hawker Boniface Kariuki shot on the head by police officer during protests on June, Tuesday 17, abused the officer before he responded by pulling the trigger.
Speaking on Monday morning during a televised interview, Owino said that from the viral video, Kariuki is heard abusing the officer, which might have provoked him to shoot him with a rubber bullet. He however, said that did not call for the police officer to shoot him, as it has tainted negatively the image of National Police Service (NPS).
“That boy who was shot carrying masks, Boniface Kariuki, it was a very simple exchange if you listen to that clip closely, you will here that boy abusing the policeman. You are an office, you must have restrain. He shot him with a rubber bullet, and we can see how it has cost the image of the police so far, ” Owino claimed.
According to him, the police have been trained, when and when not to use their firearms, as they fully understand that in the course of their duty, they are likely to find themselves in situations that will require them to defend themselves without instructions from above, a major reason why they take individual responsibility.
“The police are trained on justifiable circumstances on use of firearms, and police officers are aware that they will find themselves in situations, where they have to act on their own, without to refer to their books or superiors,” he further acknowledged.
His remarks coming at a time when the family of Kariuki on Sunday said that the doctors had declared him brain dead, despite still having a pulse, as the hospital bill continues to amount. Kariuki’s father John Kariuki said that they cannot switch off the machine supporting him, because of illegal issues provide.
