Kenya: How police shooting of unarmed protester happened

8 months ago 4

What happened?

In Nairobi's business district, small groups of protesters gathered on Tuesday, initially peacefully, to call for an end to police brutality. But according to media reports, they were quickly attacked by hundreds of men on motorbikes armed with makeshift weapons, known in Kenya as "goons."

Nairobi: Police, protesters clash in second week of unrest

Police vehicles and officers appeared as vendors hastily packed up their stalls. One of the officers pointed his gun in the direction of protesters, then ran with a colleague to a vendor named Jonah Kariuki. The officers pushed the man.

As he is shoved and is moving away, Kariuki glances back. The officer raises his weapon and shoots 22-year-old Kariuki at close range in the head — who crumples to the sidewalk. After the shooting, the officer and his colleague walk away.

Police's reaction to the shooting

Police did not directly deny any cooperation with the armed goons, releasing a statement saying it "does not condone such unlawful groupings." Police also said the officer who shot Kariuki in the head "using an anti-riot shotgun" had been arrested. Activists called for the officer to be charged.

The judiciary in a statement on Wednesday said it was committed to "uphold justice" in all cases, including those involving alleged police brutality.

Kenia, Nairobi 2025 | Protesters clash with pro-government counter- protesters in Nairobi

A wave of protests

Tensions were already high in the East African country as it marks a year since massive Gen Z-led protests over the economy. Kenyan government's latest Finance Bill avoided the tax hikes that sparked weeks of protests in mid-2024. Rights groups say over 60 people were killed and dozens more were illegally detained by security forces in the aftermath.

The protests peaked when thousands stormed parliament on June 25, 2024 when lawmakers debated the unpopular Finance Bill. The bill is now expected to take effect on July 1, 2025.

But demonstrations returned over the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody earlier this month. Protesters want a senior officer they blame for the death to resign.

Kenia Nairobi 2025 | A protester is scuffling with the two police officers

History of state violence

Kenya has a history of politicians using armed mobs. Earlier this year, President William Ruto was accused of paying goons to follow his cavalcade around a tour of Nairobi to prevent protests.

Ruto adamantly denied paying any mobs after the tour was cut short amid widespread violence and robberies against bystanders.

Rights groups concerned

"We are turning into a lawless country," Ndungi Githuku, of civil rights group Kongamano La Mapinduzi, told AFP at Tuesday's protest. "We see hundreds of paid goons, with whips and weapons, crude weapons, coming to brutalize our people," he said.

Despite reforms to improve the relationship between police and citizens, human rights activists say police have not managed to transform their image as an authoritarian force to one that serves Kenyan citizens within a democracy.