MOMBASA County-Jan 1, 2026- A cloud of grief hangs over Utange area in Kisauni, Mombasa County, after a 14-year-old boy was allegedly shot dead by police officers from Bamburi Police Station during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The minor, identified as Dennis Ringa, was reportedly shot in the neck and killed instantly during a police patrol on the night of December 31, 2025, as residents ushered in the New Year.
According to his mother, Nancy Kwekwe Mbaka, Dennis had recently sat for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations and was awaiting his results to proceed to Grade Seven under the Competency-Based Education.
Ms Mbaka said she had briefly joined her son and other residents at a local New Year’s Eve party held at Steve Mwamongo Dena’s grounds, a gathering organised by a local resident to usher in 2026. She later left for home, leaving Dennis and other youths dancing.
“However, my son danced his way to a brutal death,” she said, fighting back tears.
Accounts from witnesses indicate that Dennis and other boys were asleep when police officers arrived and allegedly woke them up. In panic, the boys ran for their lives, at which point one officer allegedly fired directly at Dennis, hitting him in the neck.
A local resident and eyewitness, Steve Mwamongo, said he saw the shooting. “It was raining. The boys were unarmed and only celebrating the New Year. I witnessed the police execute an innocent child,” said Mwamongo, tears streaming down his face.
He described the killing as a tragic start to 2026, accusing police officers of reckless handling of firearms and unnecessary use of lethal force on innocent civilians.
“I think Kenyan police are only trained to kill. Year in, year out, they seem happier to kill than to protect us,” he said.
Human rights activist and Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, who addressed journalists at the family’s makeshift home, said the officers involved are well known and must be arrested and charged.
“We thought the police service had changed. Sadly, the status quo remains,” said Khalid. “We demand justice for this family.”
Khalid confirmed that the incident has already been reported to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), calling for immediate investigations and action.
“We must stop this madness. The killer police officers from Bamburi Police Station are known and should be apprehended immediately,” he said.
The family is now appealing to the government and oversight institutions to intervene and ensure justice for the slain minor.
