Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
A Kenyan police officer has been arrested after shooting an unarmed civilian during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday. The protests were sparked by public outrage over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
A video shared on Citizen TV’s X account showed two police officers repeatedly hitting a man on the head. One officer then fired a long-barrelled gun at the man as he tried to walk away. The man collapsed, bleeding from the head, while onlookers shouted, “You have killed him.” Another video published by Nation Media featured a witness claiming the victim was not a protester but a vendor selling face masks.
While Reuters could not independently confirm the videos, their journalist on the ground reported seeing a man with a serious head wound clutching a packet of face masks. It’s unclear if this was the same person mentioned in the police statement.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that the officer who fired the weapon had been arrested. “The Inspector-General of the National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment of the officer involved,” Nyaga said.
The incident occurred during protests in Nairobi and other towns, including Mombasa, following the death of Albert Ojwang on June 8. Ojwang, 31, was arrested and later died in police custody. Initially, police claimed he had committed suicide, but an independent autopsy revealed that his injuries were consistent with being beaten.
His death has fueled public anger, especially as it comes nearly a year after over 60 people were killed during protests against proposed tax hikes. Demonstrations have now expanded beyond Nairobi to Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported at least 21 injuries from these protests. Victims suffered gunshot wounds, head injuries, whip marks, blunt trauma, and teargas-related asthma attacks.
As tensions rose in Nairobi on Tuesday, police used teargas to disperse protesters. Clashes also broke out between demonstrators and unknown individuals on motorcycles, who attacked the crowd. Video footage aired by NTV showed these bikers chanting “No protests” while whipping people. Amnesty International Kenya also shared footage showing hooded men on motorcycles assaulting both protesters and bystanders.
Police spokesperson Nyaga referred to these attackers as “goons” and said investigations had begun to identify and take action against them.
President William Ruto addressed the situation last week, calling Ojwang’s death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and acknowledged that he died in police custody.
Ojwang was arrested following a formal complaint from Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is currently investigating the case. As the inquiry continues, Lagat has temporarily stepped aside from his position.
Authorities have also arrested two senior police officers and a CCTV technician who allegedly tampered with surveillance footage from the police station where Ojwang died.
Protests have continued to grow in intensity. In Mombasa, crowds gathered holding signs reading “Stop killing us,” while in Nairobi last week, hundreds of people marched in the streets and some set vehicles on fire.
The death of Albert Ojwang has become a powerful symbol of public frustration with police brutality and lack of accountability in Kenya. Many are calling for justice, demanding answers, and urging reforms within the police service to prevent further abuse of power.