Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna claims that one person lost his life in Kitengela after police opened fire during a peaceful political gathering.
The alleged killing of 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo has drawn condemnation from politicians, who link the incident to rising political tensions and escalating humanitarian crises, including a famine affecting millions.
“It has now been confirmed that one person lost their life in Kitengela yesterday. The Police shot and killed 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo. This is another senseless and needless killing by Ruto’s regime,” he said in a post on Monday.
“We send our condolences to Vincent’s family and demand justice and accountability. This is exactly what we are fighting against.”
The protest in Kitengela was reportedly part of a series of gatherings organised by local residents and political leaders to discuss socio-economic challenges, including hunger, unemployment, and deteriorating public services.
Sources from the statements indicate that the assembly was peaceful, and participants had not provoked any violence.
“We strongly condemn the state-sponsored acts of violence by the Police and hired goons directed at peaceful Kenyans exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly in Kitengela,” the statement read.
“The Police and state-hired goons have, by their violent attacks, killed an innocent Kenyan, namely Vincent Ayomo, gravely injured many others, and vandalised the public address system set up for the Kitengela meeting.”
Lawmakers emphasized that the shooting reflects broader political tensions under President William Ruto’s administration, with accusations that the government is intolerant of democratic competition and resorting to force to suppress dissent.
“President William Ruto and CS Kipchumba Murkomen bear direct personal responsibility for the violence by the Police and hired goons in Kitengela and for the unfortunate death of Vincent Ayomo, the injuries, and for the destroyed private property. They do not respect the rights of Kenyans and are intolerant of democratic competition,” the statement claimed.
Politicians also pointed to underlying socio-economic crises, including a worsening famine affecting an estimated four million Kenyans, which may have contributed to public frustrations.
“Many more Kenyans are watching helplessly as their sources of livelihoods such as crops and livestock are wiped out by the prolonged drought and lack of government intervention. Thousands of learners have been forced to abandon school. The tragedy is not merely a natural disaster,” Sifuna said.
The statement accused the government of failing to heed early warnings about the crisis, exaggerating food production to justify high expenditure on subsidized farm inputs.
Lawmakers demanded urgent interventions, including declaring the famine a national disaster and providing emergency food assistance to schools.
“We demand that the government immediately declares the famine situation a national disaster and activate emergency interventions to prevent deaths. The government should also provide emergency food assistance to all schools in the affected areas so that learners can get back to their studies,” the statement said.
The political leaders involved, including James Orengo, Godfrey Osostsi, Babu Owino, and others, called for accountability and justice for the victims.
“He came to join other Kenyans in a peaceful assembly. He committed no crime. He provoked nobody. So why did the police kill him? Because this administration does not value the lives of Kenyans. We will pursue justice for his family and ensure that those responsible for his death are held accountable,” the statement read.
Despite the violence, politicians urged citizens to remain peaceful and politically engaged. “We wish to appeal to all peaceful loving Kenyans to stay engaged in the pursuit of a better Kenya. We urge them not to be intimidated and continue to exercise their political rights,” the statement added.
The death of Vincent Ayomo has intensified debates over police accountability, state violence, and governance in Kenya, amid growing economic and social pressures that have triggered widespread discontent.
