NAIROBI, Kenya- Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Jacobs Fikirini has recorded a statement with police investigating the fatal shooting of youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma, pledging to cooperate fully with detectives as they seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Fikirini said he had voluntarily presented himself to investigators and was committed to ensuring justice for Ouma’s family.
“I have recorded my statement with the police and will fully cooperate with investigators to ensure the family gets justice,” the Principal Secretary said.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday along Park Road in Nairobi shortly after a government youth empowerment forum held under the State Department for Youth Affairs’ KIKAO programme in Kariokor.
Ouma, a 28-year-old Civil Engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya and youth mobiliser, died after he was shot during an altercation involving the Principal Secretary’s convoy.
Police have so far recorded statements from seven people, including two bodyguards attached to Fikirini, a senior official from the State Department for Youth Affairs who was inside the vehicle at the time, and several witnesses.
Detectives are also relying on forensic evidence to determine exactly what transpired before the fatal shooting.
According to Ouma’s family, he had mobilised dozens of youths to attend the government event.
They claim he approached the Principal Secretary’s vehicle after participants complained that Sh10,000 allegedly provided for transport reimbursement was insufficient.
A confrontation reportedly followed before gunshots rang out.
Police have not identified the officer who fired the fatal shot or announced any arrests as investigations continue.
Authorities have indicated that witness accounts, ballistic analysis and other forensic evidence will be used to establish responsibility.