Karua, Matiang'i demand arrest and resignation of PS Fikirini over Cecil Ouma shooting
The opposition leaders questioned the fatal shooting of youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma inside a vehicle linked to the Youth Affairs Principal Secretary.
Cecil Ouma, a 28-year-old Civil Engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya and youth mobiliser, was shot dead in Nairobi after a government youth empowerment forum. (Photo: Handout)
Opposition leaders have called for the arrest and resignation of Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs following the shooting to death of 28-year-old youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma, arguing that he should step aside to allow independent investigations into the incident.
People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i said Fikirini should not remain in office while police investigate the circumstances surrounding Ouma's death.
Speaking at Apondo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ahero, Kisumu County, on Saturday, the two leaders questioned how Ouma was allegedly shot inside a vehicle linked to the Principal Secretary and demanded accountability.
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"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," Matiang'i said.
Karua also questioned why Ouma was allegedly shot instead of being taken to a police station if he had committed an offence.
"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 urged young people not to allow themselves to be exploited for political purposes, warning that financial incentives should never come at the cost 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, adding that Fikirini should step aside to pave the way for investigations.
According to police, Ouma was allegedly shot dead on June 30 inside a vehicle belonging to Fikirini along Park Road in Nairobi after a Kikao programme in Kariokor attended by the Principal Secretary.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, while Fikirini has previously said he is cooperating with investigators.
A post-mortem conducted on Thursday by pathologists representing both the government and Ouma's family established that the youth mobiliser died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
The examination found that the bullet caused extensive internal injuries and massive bleeding in the chest, leading to his death.