By Betty Luke
Angry residents staged protests across Isiolo Town on Tuesday following the fatal shooting of a local businesswoman, blocking roads and disrupting transport as they demanded urgent action to address rising insecurity.
Ms Angelina Kananu was gunned down on Monday evening shortly after closing her shop near the Isiolo Main Stage.
Isiolo County Police Commander Isaac Sang said the businesswoman had contacted a boda boda rider to take her home when unknown gunmen attacked. The rider sustained injuries during the incident and is undergoing treatment.
Sang termed the incident a targeted attack but urged members of the public to remain calm as detectives piece together the circumstances surrounding the murder.
“We received a report that a businesswoman had been attacked after closing her premises. She was fatally shot, and from the initial findings, it appears to have been a targeted attack,” he said adding that investigations were underway.
He noted that detectives are examining several possible motives, including suspected business-related rivalry, while cautioning against drawing conclusions before investigations are complete.
The police boss called on residents to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the criminals noting addressing insecurity required concerted effort.
He also appealed for calm, urging residents not to allow speculation or business competition to create divisions within the community.
The protesters however faulted police officers over failure to ensure intensified security operations that had left criminals roaming freely in the town.
“If gunmen have the confidence to attack and kill someone at 8pm the it means police officers are busy doing other things,” noted Paul Murimi.
They expressed fear over a growing pattern of attacks that they said were sending a strong signal to the business community in the county.
“This is the second businessperson who has been killed in less that two months. She had wronged no one, was just in her daily activities sourcing a livelihood. Are we safe running business in this town?” wondered another trader.
The killing has heightened concerns over a series of violent incidents that remain unresolved in Isiolo County.
About two weeks ago, a night guard was found dead in Kulamawe area with reports indicating that he had been killed while on his way from work.
Last month, another businessman was abducted before his body, with some body parts missing, was recovered in a bush just a short distance from the town centre with family accusing investigators of failure to issue them with a comprehensive report on what had transpired.
In December last year, a boda rider was also shot dead in a similar attack at Kambi ya Juu, with no breakthrough reported in the investigation.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo through his social media account called on the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the killing and ensure those involved face the law.
While condoling with the family, the county boss also called for calmness and cooperation with the police officers to ensure justice is achieved.
“I strongly urge the security agencies to conduct swift, thorough and impartial investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the heinous crime and ensure those responsible sre swiftly apprehended,” said Governor Guyo.
