A section of Embu leaders have demanded action on police officers who shot and killed at least two people in a demonstration over the deteriorating state of Ishiara Level 4 Hospital on Tuesday April 14.
Led by former Attorney General JB Muturi, the group said said the victims were citizens who had taken to the streets not in violence, but in protest over the deteriorating state of healthcare in our county.
“The situation at Ishiara Level 4 Hospital is dire, and residents have every right to demand better services, better facilities, and dignity in healthcare. Instead of listening to their cries, the response was bullets.”
“Reports that the officers involved were in plain clothes raise grave concerns about accountability, command, and the rule of law. Who was in charge? Who gave the orders? Why are peaceful citizens being treated as enemies?” asked Muturi.
He said the collapse of the health sector at the county level is now costing lives, not just in hospitals, but on the streets where frustrated wananchi are left with no option but to speak out.
He added he will not rest until justice is served.
“I will pursue every avenue necessary to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that such a tragedy never happens again. I demand an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into this incident. Those responsible must be brought to book without delay.”
Police said up to eight police officers were injured after being hit by flying stones and twigs.
The group had addressed a press conference outside the hospital and was leaving when another one joined them in chaos.
They lit bonfires outside the hospital gate prompting police to take action.
This broke out into chaos and shooting.
At least two demonstrators were shot dead by police during the protests in Ishiara, Mbeere North.
Residents – mostly youth – had taken to the streets to demand urgent intervention from the Embu County government, citing persistent challenges at the facility, including lack of drugs, inadequate staffing, and poor service delivery.
The protesters marched along major roads chanting slogans and carrying placards calling for reforms in the health sector.
Tension reportedly escalated when police officers attempted to disperse the crowd. Witnesses claim that officers fired live bullets, fatally injuring two demonstrators.
Several others are said to have sustained injuries in the chaos, with some rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and leaders, who have condemned the use of excessive force against unarmed protesters.
Locals are now demanding accountability from security agencies, calling for immediate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Tension still remains high in Ishiara town following the incident, amid growing frustration among residents over the state of healthcare services, with renewed calls for urgent reforms at Ishiara Level 4 Hospital.
The bodies were moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
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