Laura Kaswira: Emotional Moment As PhD Student Shot Dead By Nakuru Police Officer Is Buried

• Laura Atamba Kwasira succumbed to gunshot wounds; the bullet was allegedly fired by a police officer from Nakuru Police Station
• Her parents asked the police to speed up investigations in order for them to get justice for their daughter
• Laura's father, Josephat Kwasira, called on the government to put in place strict guidelines for issuing firearms to police officers

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kakamega - A businesswoman who was shot dead by a police officer at an entertainment joint in Nakuru has been buried.

Laura Atamba Kwasira was buried at their rural home in Burimbulli Village, Shirulu Sub-Location, Shihuli Location, Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County, on Saturday, December 23.

During the burial, there were emotional moments as close family members demanded justice.

Laura Kwasira's family demands justice

Her father, Josephat Kwasira, asked the government to establish firm criteria to be used in assigning firearms to police officers.

"My experience tells me that this is more painful than losing a father or a mother. We kindly request that the government know to whom to give the arms to avoid such occurrences to our beautiful girls and boys," Josephat Kwasira said.

Laura's mother, Tabitha Kwasira, said her daughter suffered serious injuries to her internal organs, and her survival would have meant she endured immense pain.

“My daughter was very hurt, and just as we thought that she would get better after her surgery, she did not.

I decided to witness my daughter’s postmortem because I was not getting quality reports on what killed her. Her stomach, intestines, pancreas, bladder, and uterus were destroyed so even if she had lived, she would have suffered,” Tabitha said.

Laura, who leaves behind two children, succumbed to gunshot wounds by a police officer at her business premises on December 13.

How KSh 16k bill led to fatal shooting in Nakuru

As reported earlier, the officer, identified as Nicholas Musau, based at Nakuru Central Police Station, shot dead a barmaid at Vega Club.

During the fracas, three other people were injured, among them Laura, and are currently receiving treatment at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.

According to the police report, Musau picked up a quarrel with the barmaid, who had demanded that he clear a bill of KSh 16,000 for the drinks he had taken.

Following the argument, the suspect opened fire, fatally injuring the barmaid, identified as Ann Maina, and leaving three others with bullet wounds before fleeing.

“He picked a quarrel with the barmaids at the said bar over bills for the drinks he had taken. In the process, a fracas ensued, and the officer fatally injured the said barmaid, namely Ann Maina,” the police report read.

The officer was later arrested and locked up at Kaptebwa Police Station. A pistol with two rounds of ammunition and six spent cartridges were recovered.