Nairobi Police Officer Flees, Hides in Building After Being Cornered by Angry Protesters
- A Nairobi police officer was forced to flee and seek shelter inside a building along Moi Avenue after being cornered by angry protesters
- A viral video shows him clutching his helmet, visibly shaken, as he pleads with security guards to be let in
- He was saved in the nick of time after the kind guards opened one of the buildings to offer him shelter
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Tensions flared in Nairobi’s Central Business District during the June 25 Gen Z-led protests, and a police officer was forced to flee and seek refuge in a nearby building after being surrounded by demonstrators.
Source: Facebook
A viral video captured along Moi Avenue shows the visibly distressed officer holding his helmet in one hand, scanning the crowd nervously as chants echoed around him.
Nairobi police officer hides from protesters
The officer appeared overwhelmed as protesters advanced, prompting him to plead with nearby security guards to let him hide inside one of the adjacent buildings.
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It emerged that the policeman had been left behind by his colleagues as they retreated from a group of demonstrators.
The look on his face told the story of a man who understood the dangers of mob psychology at a time when there is growing friction between law enforcement and demonstrators.
Protesters believe the officer’s flight is symbolic of a larger power shift, one in which citizens are standing up, emboldened by collective memory and shared outrage.
Why Kenyan Gen Zs protested
Wednesday's protests mark the anniversary of the 2024 deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in which over 60 Kenyans were killed.
From morning hours, most parts of the protests remained peaceful, though charged with emotion and defiance.
However, things took a dramatic turn when goons infiltrated the protests and started vandalising property, prompting police officers to lob teargas.
As of the time of filing this story, over four people had been killed and several others injured in different parts of the country.
Source: Facebook
Social media reactions
Krenish Mur
"Officers, run if you can because when you die they will just move on even without mourning."
Muyoma Maurice
"So the armed officer is being protected by the unarmed officers. Hii Kenya."
Kanake Baibulu
"That was bad in itself. Our protest is not to show the police how mighty we are, but to the government in Nairobi how hungry and angry we are. I feel for the innocent policeman."
Dennis Davies Dennis
"Peaceful demonstrations. Wakivamia polisi ni brave men, but when cornered by police ni innocent peaceful demonstrators who was attacked by a rogue merciless officer."
'Mau Mau' veteran joins Gen Z protesters
Another memorable incident occurred when an elderly 'Mau Mau' veteran joined Gen Z protests in Nairobi.
A video captured the elderly man as he was lifted shoulder-high by demonstrators near the Tom Mboya statue.
Dressed in traditional African attire, he raised his walking stick in solidarity, drawing emotional cheers from the crowd.
The powerful moment bridged generations, symbolising that Kenya’s ongoing fight for justice and dignity is for both the young and old.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
