Kenyan police officer held over brutality protest shooting

A Kenyan police officer has been arrested over the shooting Tuesday of an unarmed civilian during a demonstration against the death of a blogger in police custody.

DW’s Nairobi correspondent, Felix Maringa, witnessed and filmed the trader being shot in the head at close range.

His video shows two policemen repeatedly striking the man on his head before one of them fired at him with what appeared to be a shotgun.

Police say the man was taken to hospital to be treated for his wounds.

It happened as a group of whip and club-wielding motorcyclists — known in Kenya as “goons” — assaulted protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. 

Protesters accused police of siding with their attackers

In a post on X, Amnesty International’s Kenya chapter reported the presence of dozens of motorbikes carrying hooded passengers, who were seen whipping protesters and members of the public.

“The goons attacked us. They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it,” Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year’s massive Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, told the AFP news agency.

“Police, shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary through our taxes,” one protester told Reuters.

Pictures taken by press photographers show counter-protesters running alongside police officers as they disrupted the demonstrations over Ojwang’s death.

Blogger’s death in custody due to assault

Ojwang, a blogger, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming the country’s deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. Police initially claimed he died “after hitting his head against a cell wall.” However, an autopsy revealed injuries consistent with assault as the likely cause of death.

Since then, President William Ruto has acknowledged that Ojwang died “at the hands of the police.” Two officers were arrested last week in connection with the death, but the investigation is ongoing.

On Monday, Lagat announced he had temporarily stepped down from his position as investigations into Ojwang’s death continue.

The protests over Ojwang’s death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases.