The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been called to investigate a shooting incident that involved a church priest in Homa Bay town.

The Friday night incident sparked an outage and questions on how suspected police officers sprayed with bullets a saloon car in which pastor Joseph Mireri was driving.

His wife Janet and friends Evans Ndede and Jared Kajomo said the clergy of Makongeni Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) was shot twice in the right thigh and leg before the car was sprayed with several bullets as he was driving from Pier Beach within Homa Bay town.

The 58-year-old clergy was driving home from a car wash when the incident occurred.

The suspected officers cornered the pastor at around 8 pm, shot him twice before directing multiple rounds of ammunition to the car windscreen, the bonnet, and the driver’s door.

Residents who were around said the incident occurred about 50metres away from the pier.

The car was first blocked from moving before gunshots were heard.

“We were surprised and ran away to hide when we heard several gunshots. We suspected they were police officers dealing with a criminal,” the resident said.

Homa Bay town has witnessed some criminal activities in which MPESA operators are attacked and robbed of their monies.

The latest one is early this week when one of the MPESA operators at Homa Bay Bus Park lost sh250, 000 in the hands of criminals.

The MPESA traders sustained injuries following the incident.

“We ran away suspecting they were criminals because early this week an MPESA shop was broken into and some money stolen at the bus park,” the resident added.

Inside the clergy’s car, there was a bible, an envelope for tithing, a hymnal book, a gas cylinder, and a panga.

Janet said they took his husband to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.

“As the family, we want to know people behind the incident so we get justice. Let investigations expedited and suspects exposed,” Janet said.  

Ndede called on the IPOA to probe the case and bring suspects to book.

“To avoid any repeat of the same IPOA should get in and investigate the shooting. Whoever did this to pastor should be punished,” Ndede said.

Kajomo termed the shooting incident as a criminal act that needs thorough investigations.

Police officers in Homa Bay were reluctant to comment on the matter.

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