Garissa youth who witnessed taxi driver’s shooting now recounts murder

Abdi Mohamud [C] being escorted to the Garissa police station by a section of leaders and residents to record a statement.. He witnessed the harrowing murder incident./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Taxi driver Abdi Mohamud has recounted the terrifying moment he fled the scene of his colleague’s killing while still in handcuffs, describing the incident as a frightening escape.

Speaking to journalists at Garissa police station on Wednesday, Mohamud —a driver plying the Garissa–Dadaab route — claimed that police had initially hit his vehicle from behind before stopping him.

He narrated how he called his friend, Aden Mohamed Hassan (now deceased), to come for him. He said that immediately his friend stepped out of his vehicle, he was shot.

“When he came out of his vehicle, the police said wewe ndo tulikuwa tunataka (we were looking for you) before shooting him point-blank in the head,” he said.

Mohamud said by the time his friend arrived at the scene, the police had already handcuffed him. Amid the confusion and fear, he managed to run away while still in handcuffs.

The 22-year-old taxi driver said he witnessed his friend being shot by an officer he claimed he knew by name.

During the press briefing with leaders and protesters near Garissa police station, Mohamud — who was still wearing the handcuffs — appeared shaken and often avoided eye contact.

He wore a face mask, which was later removed when he was taken to the county police commander, where local political leaders were meeting the police chief.

Leaders were furious over the incident, saying the police handcuffs clearly showed that officers must have had a hand in the murder of the taxi driver.

Two months ago, another taxi driver was killed under controversial circumstances. Local leaders blamed the police for his death. However, police later said the death resulted from an accident.

The Northeastern Regional Police Commander John Nzioka Matasi said the case had already been handed over to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority , which he said had begun investigations into what transpired.

Local activists demanding the arrest of the officer — only identified as Chalo — have been sharing his images, claiming he committed a similar offence in Balambala before being transferred to Garissa.

A postmortem conducted at the Garissa Referral Hospital mortuary on Wednesday revealed that the victim died from a single gunshot wound.

Government pathologist Edwin Walonga said the bullet entered through the nose and exited at the back of the head, causing fatal brain injuries.

“The bullet caused extensive damage to the brain and skull, leading to instant death. We have also collected samples for further analysis,” he said.

As investigations continue, leaders and residents insist that accountability and justice for Mohamed remain non-negotiable.