Unarmed Street Vendor Shot Amid Protests in Nairobi

KEKenya|

A Kenyan man was shot in the head during protests in Nairobi against police brutality, sparking widespread outrage against President William Ruto’s government. The incident occurred when the man, identified as a street vendor, was confronted by police officers while he attempted to leave the protest area, according to photographs reviewed by the Associated Press.

Demonstrators were demanding accountability for the death of Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died in custody after facing charges of defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat. Initially claimed to be from self-inflicted injuries, a post-mortem revealed Ojwang suffered severe assault-related wounds, intensifying public discontent against police actions.

Amid the protests, witnesses reported that masked bikers armed with whips and clubs attacked demonstrators while armed officers stood by without intervening. Investigations into Ojwang's death continue, with Langat stepping aside during the ongoing inquiries. Critics argue that the government's failure to address police violence is undermining Ruto’s promises for reform and accountability, following last year's protests that claimed over 60 lives.

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Tensions escalated in Nairobi as demonstrators took to the streets to demand accountability in the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who passed away in police custody after being accused of defamation against Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat. According to Associated Press, an unarmed man, reportedly a street vendor, was shot in the head by police during the protests. Eyewitnesses captured the incident, which further fueled public outrage against President William Ruto's administration and the culture of police impunity. The protesters also faced violent retaliation from a group of masked motorcyclists wielding clubs and whips. One assailant admitted to being hired for this intimidation, claiming he was misled about his role. Following Ojwang's death, which was initially attributed to self-inflicted injuries, post-mortem results revealed severe head trauma, raising questions about police conduct. In light of the unrest, Langat has temporarily stepped aside while investigations continue. However, public discontent against Ruto's government is growing, especially a year after widespread protests resulted in over 60 deaths connected to police violence.
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