Protests in Nairobi have erupted following a police shooting that left one man injured, reflecting growing anger over police brutality amid a pattern of state violence in Kenya.
Chilling Police Shooting Sparks Protests in Nairobi, Kenya
Chilling Police Shooting Sparks Protests in Nairobi, Kenya
Demonstrators flood Nairobi streets in response to police violence and death of man in custody.
Protests erupted in Nairobi, Kenya, after a man was shot by police amid demonstrations against police violence. The chaotic scene unfolded on Tuesday, triggered by the recent death of Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died in police custody on June 8.
As the protests intensified, demonstrators expressed their outrage over police aggression, leading to the shocking moment captured in photographs when police approached a protester, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. The officer shot Kariuki in the head as he attempted to retreat. Fortunately, he survived, but images of the incident, depicting an orange muzzle flash and blood, stirred public outrage and condemnation against the police force.
This event occurs just days before the first anniversary of previous large-scale protests in Kenya, which were sparked by a controversial tax bill. In those demonstrations, many faced violent police responses resulting in dozens of fatalities and numerous injuries. The discontent among citizens, particularly the youth, has been fueled by social media, providing a platform for addressing grievances.
President William Ruto, in the midst of efforts to reverse the country's economic struggles, now confronts accusations of authoritarianism stemming from his administration's harsh responses to dissent. As tensions escalate, the spotlight continues to remain on systemic police violence in Kenya, raising urgent questions about accountability and reform within law enforcement.
