Martha Karua, Amisi Slam Police as Hawker Is Shot at Close Range During Anti-Lagat Demos
- Demonstrations against Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat turn chaotic in Nairobi
- In a heartbreaking incident, a police officer was captured on camera shooting a hawker who was selling masks to protesters
- Several leaders, including Caleb Amisi, the Saboti Member of Parliament, condemned the police's actions in the shooting
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Politicians have criticised the police for using live ammunition during the anti-Deputy Inspector of Police Eliud Lagat's demonstrations in Nairobi's Central Business District.
Source: UGC
On Tuesday, June 17, a police officer was captured on camera shooting an unarmed man along Moi Avenue.
How did police kill a hawker in the CBD?
Citizen TV shared the video, stating that the deceased was a hawker selling masks to those taking part in the demonstration.
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The viral video captured the chilling moment: the man, leaning against a wall, was approached by two police officers.
One officer struck him with the barrel of his gun, and before the man could fall, the other officer shot him in the head at close range, in the presence of protesters.
Martha Karua, the People's Liberation Party leader, issued a statement strongly condemning the incident.
In her statement, Karua wondered how many Kenyans would die for the police officers to stop extrajudicial killing.
"Another endless extrajudicial execution. How many deaths will it take for you to stop this?" Karua posed.
Source: Facebook
What leaders said about the shooting incident
Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi also issued a statement slamming the police officer filmed shooting an innocent Kenyan.
Amisi wondered why the officer could arrest the hawker if he felt he was in the wrong during the chaotic demonstration.
"This is close range. You are just required to arrest the protesters if you believe he is in the wrong. Why shoot young people on the street? Kenya needs a renaissance," Amisi said.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta termed the heartbreaking incident a pure case of attempted murder, as the hawker had not provoked the officer in any form
"This is a clear case of murder. No provocation. No self defence. Motive for murder was created instantly," Ombeta said.
Gideon K. Moi:
"The cold-blooded shooting of an unarmed mask vendor at close range by a police officer during protests in the CBD is tragic and a shocking abuse of power by police. Equally alarming is the infiltration of peaceful protests by a ragtag militia, brazenly wielding batons and robbing pedestrians and bystanders in broad daylight.
This is lawlessness being entrenched under the watch of law enforcement. The role of the police is to protect citizens, including protesters exercising their constitutional rights and not to stand by as marauding goons unleash terror on innocent people. While we condemn these actions, that police officer must be identified, arrested and charged."
How goons terrorised people in the CBD
Earlier, a group of suspected goons stormed the Central Business District on motorbikes as they warned against anti-Lagat demonstrations.
The men who moved around in large numbers while armed shouted that they would not allow any protests to take place in the CBD.
At some point, the suspected goons cornered the peaceful protesters who were marching towards the Central Police Station at the University Way intersection and sent everyone running helter-skelter.
Whose Goons?
When calm was finally restored, the club-wielding men were seen roaming around City Hall, chanting victory songs and praising Governor Johnson Sakaja.
They were filmed assuring the governor, who was not in the picture, that they had kept the city safe from protesters and protected businesses.
Sakaja had previously vowed to deal with protesters who disrupt businesses in the capital.
In a video that has surfaced online, the county warned that those who would dare step on the streets of Nairobi to protest would meet him there waiting to deal with them.
During the Gen Z protests of June 25, 2024, some goons were filmed assembling outside City Hall carrying clubs and other crude weapons in preparation to deal with demonstrators.
Sakaja distanced himself from the group, saying he also saw videos online while in Mombasa on an official function.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on goons for hire.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
