Outrage grows over police violence ahead of Wednesday demos

A protester clashes with the police during demonstrations demanding better governance and improved tax policies from the government along Moi Avenue on July 16, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

A disturbing video that surfaced online over the weekend, capturing the moment a police officer fired a shot that killed an unarmed teenager in Mwiki, Kasarani, has reignited public anger over a growing pattern of police brutality in the country.

Stephen Joshua, 18, a tout who completed high school last year, was gunned down on Friday as residents demonstrated against the brutal rape and murder of another teenager, 18-year-old Abby Wanjiku.

Joshua’s death, confirmed by police, was captured on CCTV and has sparked renewed calls for accountability from both lawmakers and human rights defenders.

“All I want is justice for my son. The police officer who shot him is clearly seen in the video,” said Samuel Njihia, Joshua’s father, outside their family home in Mwiki.

The short, but harrowing footage shows a man in police uniform brandishing a firearm and firing a shot believed to have ended Joshua’s life. According to the deceased’s mother, Ann Wambui, her son was sheltering with a friend at a shop that sells gas when the police lobbed tear gas into the shop, forcing them to come out and run for safety.

Ronald Karauri, the area MP, condemned the incident and called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to immediately arrest the officer. He stated that the CCTV footage clearly showed the officer was not in any danger and that the shooting was unjustified.

Dam Kago, the Member of County Assembly for the area, warned that demonstrations would persist until action was taken against the officer.

The latest killing is part of a troubling pattern of police violence that has emerged throughout the month of June. Just two weeks ago, on June 7, the country woke up to the news of the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who was reportedly tortured and killed while in police custody.

The death of Ojwang, drew widespread outrage, leading to a wave of protests in various parts of the country. During one of those protests in Nairobi, on Tuesday, police opened fire again. This time, the victim, Boniface Kariuki, was a street vendor who sold face masks to protesters. Protesters say he too, posed no threat.

The original protests in Mwiki were sparked by the horrific murder of Abby Wanjiku, who was found dead in her mother’s home on Thursday night. According to a police report, she may have been raped before her throat was slit. She had been stabbed five times, and one of her ears had been cut off.