Questions are mounting over the death of 44-year-old Moreen Nduku, who was shot at Nairobi's Gikomba Market on Monday, August 3, with her family demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Moreen, a mother of one from Pipeline Estate, died on Friday at Kenyatta National Hospital after four days of treatment.
The bullet that struck her reportedly passed through her body before lodging in the leg of 16-year-old Abdala Lihan, who was at the market with her.
Abdala recalled that police officers had stormed the area, saying they were pursuing suspected phone thieves, before shots were fired.
"Tulikuwa tunaenda Gikomba tukafika kwa bridge tukasikia risasi mbili juu…sisi tukapangishwa line, kuna polisi alikuwa hapo ameinua hivi bunduki akasema mkiona kitu kama hii mniokotee…kijana flani akaiokota akaichukua…ilikuwa magazine, after huyu polisi alikuwa ameinuia bunduki juu akainama hivi chini akapea polisi mwengine magazine sasa…kuingiza hivi magazine ikalipuka ikapita kwa mama flani kwa tumbo na ikakuja kwangu," recalled Abdala.
His mother, Stela Mwalimo, said she questioned the officers over their approach to dealing with suspected criminals.
"Niliuliza askari hakuna njia ingine mngetumia kushika na kutawanya wezi? Akaniambia mama unajua hawa wezi walikuwa wamesumbua watu kwa hii daraja sana," Mwalimo said.
Damaris Kieti, the deceased's sister-in-law, questioned "why police are allowed to open fire in crowded zones."
"Kwani polisi wakitoka training, are they allowed to open fire anywhere?...are they not trained?" Kieti posed.
X-ray images reportedly showed that the bullet passed through Moreen before lodging in Abdala's leg. Moreen was taken to the ICU but died on Friday.
The family now alleges that the bullet removed from Abdala's leg has disappeared. They also claim police officers allegedly linked to Shauri Moyo Police Station visited the hospital several times, asking when the bullet would be removed.
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid said the alleged disappearance of the bullet raises questions over a possible attempt to conceal evidence.
"No response to a routine disturbance should ever claim the life of an innocent citizen. We call upon IPOA to conduct a swift, transparent investigation into this fatal shooting and ensure full accountability for the officers involved," Khalid said.
The family further claims a nurse told the officers that the bullet had to be handled according to the proper procedure.
Human rights activists have accused the authorities of failing to provide clear answers, while questions have also been raised over the role of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority in investigating the incident.
Activists now want Kenyatta National Hospital and IPOA to explain what happened to the bullet and whether it was preserved as evidence.