A tragic incident in Garissa County has sparked outrage after a 29-year-old taxi driver, Adan Mohamed Hassan, was allegedly shot dead by a police officer while visiting a friend in custody.…
According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21. Hassan had reportedly gone to check on his friends who had been arrested in connection with a suspected sugar-related case in Garissa town. Witnesses claim that upon arriving at the police station, Hassan questioned the officers about the arrest of his friends.
It is at this point that the situation reportedly escalated. A police officer identified as Charlo is said to have drawn his firearm and shot Hassan at close range, killing him instantly. A friend of the deceased, Ali Hassan, alleged that the officer appeared to have a personal issue with the victim before pulling the trigger.
The shocking killing triggered immediate protests across Garissa. Angry residents stormed the mortuary, retrieved Hassan’s body, and carried it to the police station where the shooting allegedly occurred. Demonstrators demanded justice, accusing law enforcement of repeated cases of brutality in the area.
Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the growing crowds. Protesters expressed frustration, claiming that this was the third such killing in the region within the year, and warned of further action if authorities fail to act.
Garissa Deputy Police Commander John Matasi confirmed the incident, stating that officers were on patrol at the time. He added that investigations are ongoing and assured the public that the case has been handed over to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Authorities have pledged transparency and accountability as pressure mounts to bring those responsible to justice.
