Phone Dispute Turns Deadly as Boda Boda Rider Is Shot Dead

A police shooting in Kilindini village, Tana River County, has left 20-year-old boda boda rider Ali Salim Chilati dead and another man seriously injured, following a confrontation sparked by a domestic dispute over a mobile phone. 

The altercation began when a woman reported a domestic quarrel over a phone purchased through a pay-as-you-go financing scheme. She claimed the device was hers, while her husband, the alleged owner, argued that his ongoing payments gave him rightful ownership. Unable to resolve the disagreement, she contacted Majengo Police Post.

Police initially arrived in the evening to arrest the husband. When he fled, he left the phone with his uncle, Omar Baya, a police constable on leave, who cooperated by handing over the device and offering to present the suspect the following day. However, later that night, a larger team of officers returned, not to pursue the suspect, but to target Mr Baya. 

Eyewitnesses reported that the officers assaulted him and dragged him from his home despite his cooperation. Tensions escalated when neighbours questioned the actions of the police, and stones were thrown at the officers.

During the commotion, police opened fire, mistakenly shooting Ali Salim Chilati, who was riding his motorbike through the village at the time. He was struck by bullets and later died in hospital. 

Another man, Salim Dhidhacha, was also shot and is currently recovering at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Family members have described Ali as an innocent bystander, emphasising that he had no involvement in the dispute.

Galole Sub-County Police Commander George Madolio has acknowledged that the police response was excessive and out of proportion. He said that the situation should have been handled by community elders rather than police force.