NAIROBI, Kenya- The teenager who was shot dead during protests in Nanyuki on Tuesday has been identified as 16-year-old Sylvester Ndung’u, a Form Three student, according to Laikipia East Police Commander Daniel Kitavi.
The fatal shooting occurred amid demonstrations that have rocked Nanyuki in recent days over the controversial U.S.-backed Ebola preparedness facility planned at the Laikipia Air Base.
Police confirmed that the victim succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the protests, with authorities launching investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Laikipia East Police Commander Kitavi identified the deceased as a secondary school student and said investigations were ongoing.
The death has intensified tensions in the town, where residents have staged demonstrations demanding greater transparency over the planned health facility and assurances on public safety.
Human Rights groups and local leaders have called for an independent investigation into the shooting and accountability for those responsible.
The latest fatality adds to growing concerns over the use of force during crowd-control operations in the area.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to examine the incident as part of efforts to establish the circumstances that led to the student’s death.
The student’s death has sparked outrage among residents and civil society groups, who have demanded justice for the teenager and renewed calls for restraint by security agencies during public demonstrations.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue.
So far , police have shot and killed 3 protestors in Nanyuki.
