Busia County is mourning the death of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student, Laura Wesonga, who was allegedly shot during a police operation in Marachi Estate, Busia Town, on Monday evening.
According to preliminary reports, Laura was returning home from the gym when she was caught in the middle of a confrontation between police officers and members of a suspected criminal gang known locally as “Jobless.” She sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the operation.
The tragic shooting has drawn condemnation from leaders across Busia County. Governor Paul Otuoma described the incident as heartbreaking and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wesonga’s death.
He urged security agencies to embrace intelligence-led policing that protects innocent civilians while dealing firmly with criminal elements, insisting that justice must be served if any officer is found culpable.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah also condemned the killing, saying the National Police Service has a constitutional duty to protect lives and that no security operation should result in the death of innocent civilians.
The senator called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct an immediate, transparent and independent investigation, adding that officers found responsible should be held accountable.
The incident has left fellow students, friends and residents in shock, with many describing Wesonga as a promising young woman whose life was cut short while going about her normal routine. Her death has also reignited concerns over the safety of civilians during police operations and the continued activities of criminal gangs in Busia Town.
Investigations into the shooting are ongoing as residents and leaders continue to demand answers and justice for the slain student.