KITALE, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the shooting and subsequent death of a 22-year-old student in Kitale, allegedly at the hands of a police officer.
Dalphine Mwangi, a student at Kitale National Polytechnic, was shot on the night of October 22 at Norec Shopping Centre in the Kibomet area, where he had been playing pool with friends.
According to police reports and witness accounts, an argument broke out between Mwangi and a man who was later identified as a police officer. The officer is said to have drawn his firearm and shot Mwangi at close range.
Mwangi was initially rushed to Kijana Wamalwa Referral Hospital before being transferred to Top Hill Hospital in Eldoret in critical condition. He died on October 25 while undergoing treatment.
Witnesses later identified the suspect in an identification parade at Kitale Police Station on October 24.
The officer was subsequently arraigned the same day, and an IPOA investigator successfully applied to have him held for 10 days pending further investigations.
Following Mwangi’s death, the case has been upgraded from attempted murder to murder.
IPOA Investigations Into the Death of Dalphine Mwangi in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. ^EM
In a statement on Tuesday, IPOA said its probe will include interviewing witnesses and officers, reviewing official reports, and securing the officer’s continued detention.
The Authority emphasised that its mandate is to ensure accountability and establish the circumstances leading to the student’s death.
The shooting has drawn public concern in Trans Nzoia, adding to ongoing debate about police conduct and use of force.
IPOA has recently handled several high-profile cases involving alleged police shootings and excessive force.
