A Kenyan police officer was captured on camera shooting a man in the head at close range during a protest in Nairobi on Tuesday, in a shocking act of police violence that has reignited national outrage over systemic brutality by security forces. The incident occurred in broad daylight on one of the city’s busiest streets and was witnessed by multiple journalists, including an Associated Press (AP) photographer who documented the entire sequence.
The victim, believed to be a street vendor and not part of the protest, was holding a packet of face masks when officers approached. Photos show police jumping off a vehicle and one officer firing in the direction of protesters. Moments later, the same officer and a colleague approached the vendor, guns drawn. After a brief confrontation, in which the vendor raised his hands defensively, the officer raised his gun and shot the man in the head. The man collapsed on the sidewalk as the officers walked away.
The man was rushed to a Nairobi hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. A spokesperson confirmed that he survived the shooting and was in critical condition in intensive care. He remains unidentified at the time of this report, but has come to symbolize the broader issue of unchecked police violence in Kenya.
Tuesday’s protest was sparked by the recent death of a blogger in police custody, after he was accused of defamation by a senior officer. Kenya has a long and troubling history of police killings, particularly during protests. Human rights organizations have consistently documented these abuses, but accountability remains rare.
In response to growing public anger and widespread media coverage, including front-page headlines like “Killer Police” the Kenyan police service confirmed the arrest of the officer involved. However, they did not release his name. Kenyans online quickly circulated images of the officer, identifying his unit and uniform markings.
President William Ruto, who had previously pledged to end police brutality, has not yet issued a statement on the incident. Another mass protest against police violence is planned for June 24, as calls for justice and reform continue to build across the country.
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