Arsenal have paid tribute to a young Kenyan fan, Carilton David Maina, who was killed by police in in what Amnesty are calling an ‘extrajudicial killing’.

The 22-year-old, who had returned home for a holiday, was shot dead by police who claim he was part of a four-person mugging gang that were terrorising the area at the time. His friend, Diana Bwari said that he had been merely walking home after watching a match.

“He was in the company of three other friends, but he was the only one who was shot,” said Bwari.

“He had become such an epitome of hope in Kibera. Not so many people from the slums get a chance to study abroad,” she said.

Arsenal printed a message of condolence in the Cardiff City matchday programme that read, “We were very sad to hear the recent death of Arsenal Kenya member, Carilton David Maina – aged just 22. Born in Africa’s biggest slum Kibera, Carilton excelled academically, winning a scholarship to study engineering in Leeds which enabled him to visit his beloved Emirates Stadium to see his heroes.”

Maina was shot dead by police on 21 December in what Amnesty International described as “the hallmark of extrajudicial killings”.

Kenny Price from London Speaks.

CARILTON DAVID MAINA

"I knew Carilton Maina as a fellow Arsenal fan, he'd seen @Arsenal play while he was at university in Leeds, both at home at the Emirates and away at several stadiums around the country…#JusticeForMaina

THREAD… pic.twitter.com/vnWcfvPrSd

— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) January 29, 2019

They also issued a statement that read, “AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Statement on fatal shooting of Carilton David Maina.

“Amnesty International Kenya calls on the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority and the Internal Affairs Unit to thoroughly investigate the fatal shooting of Carilton David Maina by an Administrative Police Officer on Friday.

“From all public accounts of the way Carilton David Maina lived his life, he had no criminal record nor was he motivated by crime. Born in Kibera’s Laini Saba, he was an achiever both in sports and academic studies. Having secured scholarship to attend Brookhouse Secondary school, he was currently pursuing an engineering degree at Leeds University, United Kingdom.

“”Carilton Maina’s killing at the hands of our Police Officers during the Christmas season shatters again the myth that only violent criminals are being killed lawfully. This death has the hallmark of an extra-judicial killing and must be comprehensively probed,” says Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director Irungu Houghton.

“Now that the National Police Service has confirmed that an Officer was involved, the law is clear in the case of the discharge of fire-arms and loss of life. The Officer involved must surrender his weapon for ballistics analysis and file a comprehensive report.

“Amnesty International Kenya welcomes the Police statement that “the Police will enforce the outcome of the investigations” and calls on the Police to fully cooperate in the investigation as well,” he further added.

“The case also offers Director of Criminal Intelligence, George Kinoti the first test of his statement. Last week that his agency will have zero tolerance for police officers that break the law. Over 180 cases have been documented by human rights organisations and the media in 2018. Ten police officers including an Officer in Charge of a Police Station have been convicted this year for abuse of office.

“Note: 1. At least 10 police officers were convicted of either murder or manslaughter in 2018 with the latest being former Ruaraka OCS Nahashon Mutua. 2. The mothers and widows of 22 young men have sued the National Police Service for the deaths of their sons.

“They seek the Attorney General to advice the President Uhuru Kenyatta to establish a commission of inquiry into the deaths. 3. The Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti has said any officer found culpable in acts of human rights abuses or such killings will be punished. 4. For more information or to arrange an interview, please tweet Amnesty International Kenya’s press office in Nairobi on @amnestykenya.”