By: Deborah Amewoyi
A greater section of Kenyans are currently enraged after the shooting of a vendor on the streets of Nariobi during the protest on the death a Kenyan blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang who was reportedly assaulted by police officials in jail.
On Tuesday, June 17 protesters had gathered on the streets of Nairobi to demand justice for the death of the blogger – calling for the end of police brutality within the country. Admist the protest Dw reported that the peaceful protest was attacked by hundreds of armed men (referred to as goons in Kenya) on motorbikes with makeshift weapons.
Subsequently, police officers also arrived in vehicles causing vendors to pack their stalls due to the tension that has been created.
Dw, further reported that one of the officers who directed his gun towards protesters further run to a mask vendor named Jonah Kariuki, after pushing him to the ground, told him to flee from the scene. “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.” the news site narrated.
It added that the officer responsible for the shooting incident and his colleague just walked away.
The Kenyan Police Service responding to the incident condemned the act and revealed the the officer in question have been held in police custody for using an anti-riot shotgun and the Judiciary service in Kenya has also vowed to uphold and serve justice in all cases including police brutality.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the “goons” operating at Nariobi – the country’s capital are allegedly loyal to the Kenyan government
Protesters in Kenya are vexed because the police initially blamed the death of the blogger to self inflicted wounds in custody, however after the conduction of an autopsy on the body, it was reported that the late Albert Ojwang died as a result of physical assault.
Kenyans have a record of police brutality due to a protest that occured almost a year ago against the passage of a finance bill in Kenya’s parliament.
It has been recorded that the police fired batons, tear gas, live fire and bullets causing the demise of several protesters and severely injuring others.
The recent death of the blogger and the shooting of the vendor have sparked renewed calls to end police brutality in Kenya.
Father to Jonah Kariuki have informed the media that his son has gone through successful surgery
and in now getting through the recovery process.
Ten other protesters have also been reported injured from Tuesday clash.
