At least 16 killed in Kenyan protests

 

Tensions erupted across Nairobi and Mombasa this week as protests ignited over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody. That unrest intensified on June 17, when peaceful demonstrations demanding justice for Ojwang turned violent. Shortly after tear gas was deployed, an unidentified civilian—later identified as 22‑year‑old hawker Boniface Kariuki—was shot in the head at close range by a masked police officer in broad daylight on a busy Nairobi street. He remains in critical condition in hospital ft.com+6apnews.com+6reuters.com+6.

Eyewitnesses and AP photographs show the unarmed vendor, holding a small packet of face masks, being approached, shoved, and then shot at point‑blank range. Public outrage surged when it emerged that Kariuki was not participating in the protest, but simply walking through the area when officers opened fire . His father, Jonah, has demanded the responsible officer be held personally accountable, asserting that “none of this makes sense” as the young man was not carrying any weapons apnews.com.

In the lead‑up to this, 31‑year‑old blogger Ojwang was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya over alleged defamation of the deputy police chief, then transferred to the Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he died two days later under suspicious circumstances. Authorities initially attributed his death to self‑inflicted injuries, but a pathologist’s report revealed head trauma, neck compression, and various bodily injuries consistent with assault. His disappearance sparked mass demonstrations, and triggered the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat to allow for investigations en.wikipedia.org+5apnews.com+5apnews.com+5.

Investigations have since led to the arrest of Samson Talam—the senior officer on duty where Ojwang died—and another officer, James Mukhwana, along with disturbing reports of tampered CCTV footage apnews.com. Two officers have also been detained in connection to Kariuki’s shooting apnews.com.

Families and activists have condemned what they call a systemic problem of police brutality in Kenya, citing prior instances of extrajudicial killings during protests—including last year's violent anti‑tax demonstrations that left dozens dead. They are demanding transparent, independent inquiries and the prosecution of officers found responsible reuters.com+15apnews.com+15apnews.com+15.

On the ground, communities are gripped by fear and frustration. In Murang’a County, where Kariuki’s family resides, residents say they now dread sending relatives to urban areas for work. Meanwhile, the UK embassy and Amnesty International have publicly called for urgent accountability and transparent investigations into both Ojwang’s death and Kariuki’s shooting ft.com+3apnews.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.

Despite the unrest, President William Ruto has pledged cooperation, declaring his administration will "protect citizens from rogue police officers" and enforce due process. Judiciary officials have echoed this, emphasizing commitment to justice. But for many Kenyans, public outrage is a sign that deeper reforms are needed in a security system long criticized for unchecked violence apnews.com.

For now, Nairobi remains tense and vigilant. With more protests expected in the coming days, the latest deaths and injuries have only deepened calls for sweeping change in policing, accountability, and respect for human rights.