AHERO, Kenya- PLP Leader Martha Karua and Presidential Aspirant Fred Matiang’i have called for the arrest and resignation of Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs following the fatal shooting of 28-year-old youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma, saying the State official should step aside to allow investigations to proceed independently.
The two opposition leaders made the remarks on Saturday while addressing congregants at Apondo SDA Church in Ahero, Kisumu County, where they criticised President William Ruto over what they described as a lack of action following the incident.
Matiang’i questioned why no arrests had been made despite the shooting reportedly occurring inside a vehicle linked to the Principal Secretary.
“Someone is shot inside the car of a PS and then you start holding press conferences saying that you will cooperate. That person should already be in police custody. The foremost responsibility of the President is to secure the welfare of the citizens, and you have failed,” Matiang’i said.
Karua also questioned the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, arguing that the matter required thorough and independent investigations.
“Is there room to riot inside a vehicle with security around? And if he rioted, why wasn’t he taken to the nearest police station? Why shoot him inside a car? That is murder,” she said.
She further urged young people to avoid allowing themselves to be exploited for political mobilisation, warning that financial incentives should never come at the expense of their safety.
“The youth should learn from that. You will be paid some money, but they have no need for your life,” she said.
Karua added that allowing the Principal Secretary to remain in office during the investigations could undermine public confidence in the process.
According to reports, Ouma was fatally shot on June 30 inside a vehicle associated with PS Fikirini along Park Road in Nairobi after attending a government-backed youth engagement programme in Kariokor.
Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the shooting. According to Ouma’s family, he had approached the Principal Secretary’s vehicle to collect money intended to reimburse youths he had mobilised for the event.
Ouma’s brother, Jeff Otieno, alleged that the deceased had initially been given Sh10,000 to share among the youths before returning to the vehicle to seek clarification.
“He was given Sh10,000 by the PS… He went back to the PS vehicle. When he got there, they were already on the highway,” Otieno said.
A youth leader who attended the event, Willie Maina, claimed Ouma’s body was later discovered outside the perimeter wall of Park Road Primary School.
PS Fikirini has maintained that the matter is under active investigation and declined to discuss the circumstances surrounding Ouma’s death in detail.
He confirmed that he and seven other individuals, including officials attached to his office, have recorded statements with investigators and said they would cooperate fully with the investigative process.
The case is being handled by the police, who have not yet announced any arrests or disclosed their findings. As investigations continue, the exact circumstances surrounding Ouma’s death remain unresolved.
Under Article 26 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, every person has the right to life, while Article 49 guarantees the rights of arrested persons and Article 50 guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
Kenyan law also presumes the innocence of any person under investigation until proven guilty by a court of law.