A Ugandan teenager fell victim to fatal violence in Kenya as riots erupted and escalated, stretching into their third day on Friday. Sixteen-year-old Shafiki Majid Kisambira, a resident of Mawero East ‘B’ village in Busia Town, lost his life during clashes between Kenyan police forces and a group of youths engaged in confrontations near the Busia terminal in Busia-Kenya County.
Busia Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Michael Kibwika confirmed the tragic incident, urging caution among Ugandans operating in Kenya amidst the unrest. Expressing concern, he highlighted reports suggesting the involvement of some Ugandans as mercenaries in the riots, cautioning against participation in activities contrary to Kenyan laws.
Allegations surfaced indicating that influential figures in Busia-Kenya were purportedly hiring Ugandan youths to join the protests, offering financial incentives ranging from KShs500 to KShs700. Majid Suleiman Waki, grieving the loss of his son in the violence, recounted the heart-wrenching ordeal of discovering his son’s lifeless body and transporting it back to their home in Busia, Uganda.
Hadija Nabwire, another bereaved parent, recounted the harrowing moment when she learned of her son’s demise during the unrest. Traders in the affected areas faced significant losses as rioters targeted businesses and Ugandan-registered trucks, particularly impacting the fish export market in Marachi, Busia-Kenya.
The protests disrupted commercial activities, with reports of traders being robbed by unemployed youth participating in the demonstrations. Incidents of violence and looting prompted traders to flee the market, fearing for their safety and the security of their assets.
Witnesses observed groups of unemployed youth armed with machetes crossing from Kenya into Marachi on the Ugandan side, seeking refuge amid the chaos. As security authorities continued to assess the situation, concerns mounted over the safety of both Ugandan residents and businesses operating in the affected regions.
