Residents of Kilindini village in Tana River County carry the remains of Ali Salim, 20, to his burial site in this picture taken on December 14, 2025.
Kilindini village in Tana River County fell silent on Sunday as mourners lowered the body of Ali Salim Chilati, a 20-year-old boda boda operator, into the ground.
Two days earlier, his life was cut short by police bullets following what began as a simple domestic dispute over a phone purchased through the M-Kopa pay-as-you-go financing model. This is a model that allows customers to acquire products by making small payments via mobile money.
Salim’s burial drew grief, anger and unanswered questions, as residents struggled to understand how a disagreement between a couple escalated into a police operation that left one man dead, another nursing gunshot wounds, and a village traumatised.
“He was just doing his work. Ali had just dropped a female client off at her home and was heading back to the market to look for another customer. He had no idea that police had just left the village or that there had been chaos,” said Salim’s elder brother, Yusa, his voice shaking.
Caught in the melee
According to the family, a police Land Cruiser had moments earlier rushed out of Kilindini village after officers clashed with residents. When Salim rode past on his motorcycle, police mistook him for part of the pursuing crowd.
“They shot him, thinking he was among the villagers. He did not die instantly. He was bleeding as people rushed him to Hola Referral Hospital, but he did not make it," Yusa said.
Residents of Kilindini village in Tana River County carry the remains of Ali Salim, 20, to his burial site in this picture taken on December 14, 2025.
The tragedy traces back to a domestic feud between a couple in the same village over ownership of a mobile phone acquired through the credit system. Mwanaharusi Shehe, a family member, said the disagreement arose when her brother took the phone from his wife after a quarrel.
“The lady insisted the phone belonged to her because it was registered using her ID. The man argued that he was the one paying for it, so it was his. They could not agree,” Ms Shehe explained.
Unable to resolve the dispute, the woman reported the matter to Majengo Police Post, prompting police intervention. According to Mr Hassan Hamesa, another family member, three police officers arrived at the homestead at around 6pm to arrest the man involved.
“When the suspect saw the police, he ran away. He left the phone behind with his uncle, Omar Baya, who is a police constable on leave,” Mr Hamesa said.
Mr Baya, according to witnesses, cooperated fully.
“He welcomed the officers, handed over the phone and asked them to handle the matter calmly. He even promised to personally bring his nephew to the station the following morning,” Mr Hamesa added.
But events took a dramatic turn later that night.
Violent police, then chaos
“At around 9pm, the area OCS came back with about ten officers. This time, they were not looking for the suspect. They went straight for Mr Baya,” Mr Hamesa recalled.
Mr Hamesa, who witnessed the incident, said the officers assaulted Mr Baya despite his attempts to cooperate.
“He pleaded with them to allow him to accompany them peacefully. But they were angry. They beat him and dragged him out of the house,” he said.
The commotion quickly drew neighbours.
“People came out asking why a police officer on leave was being beaten in his own home. When residents tried to intervene, the police threatened to open fire,” Mr Hamesa said.
As officers dragged Mr Baya away, residents began throwing stones, forcing the police to retreat from the compound.
“It was during that confusion that shots were fired,” Hamesa said.
That gunfire claimed the life of Ali Salim and left Salim Dhidhacha with a gunshot wound to the chest. Mr Dhidhacha is currently recovering at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Residents of Kilindini village in Tana River County carry the remains of Ali Salim, 20, to his burial site in this picture taken on December 14, 2025.
Galole Sub-County Police Commander George Madolio confirmed the incident, admitting the response was excessive.
“This was not a matter that warranted such a reaction. Standard procedure would have required the officer in charge to involve elders or community leaders to persuade the suspect to surrender,” Mr Madolio said.
He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, adding, “The law will take its course.”
A police report indicates that six officers were injured during the confrontation. Human rights groups have, however, faulted the police conduct.
“This was a domestic disagreement, not an armed confrontation. The use of force was unjustified, and all officers involved must be held accountable for the life lost,” said Mr Omar Chalalu of Amnesty International Kenya.
Activists have called on the Inspector General of Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to investigate, accusing senior officers of attempting to shield those involved.
“The Wenje Station OCS is clearly covering up for his officers and that is only fueling animosity and mistrust,” Mr Chalalu claimed.
Political leaders have also weighed in, promising to escalate the matter.
“We will take this issue directly to the Interior Cabinet Secretary. If justice is not served, residents may lose faith in the law and take matters into their own hands,” said Galole MP Said Hiribae.
