Kenyan Police Officer Cowers as Gen-Z Records Him Preparing Tear gas
- An anti-riot police officer was caught on camera preparing a tear gas canister ahead of a protest in Nairobi county
- The Gen Z who recorded the officer was in the company of other police officers who did not seem concerned about their colleague’s actions
- The video went viral and attracted several comments from social media users, some of whom made light of the situation
Several camera footages have surfaced from the chaotic Wednesday, June 25 protests held nationwide.
Source: Facebook
Some captured the harsh reality of police brutality on protesters, while others highlighted heartwarming moments between the police and demonstrators.
Content creator Photosniper shared a clip showing an anti-riot police officer handling a tear gas canister during the protest.
“Gen Zs are going to maandamano with CCTV cameras. This one was caught live. What is he hiding if he believes he’s doing the right thing? Then he’s shaking it well before use. Is it Piriton?” he hilariously asked.
The officer was in the company of fellow policemen who appeared relaxed, as the protest at that time was peaceful.
Kenyan police officer in surgical facemask
He was wearing a surgical face mask and carrying a bag believed to contain several explosives.
The other officers seemed unbothered and paid no attention to their colleague handling the tear gas canister.
The officer was recorded carelessly shaking the tear gas canister before noticing he was being filmed.
Out of embarrassment and shame, he stopped, hid the tear gas canister, and pocketed his left hand.
He made direct eye contact with the camera, and his guilty expression revealed his discomfort at being caught on video.
Netizens react to video of police officer preparing tear gas
Social media users flocked to the comment section of the viral Facebook video to share their views:
Atez Jf:
“It’s high time the Kenya Police Service became a curriculum. Instead of spending nine months in Kiganjo and coming out bitter, one should first attain a bachelor’s in law enforcement, then train physically and in firearms.”
Japheth Mayoti:
“You’re playing with the police. Once they’re given orders, many of you will die and nothing will be done—unless the ICC intervenes, because we’re still in Kenya.”
Baba Yao:
“I saw the grenade being hurled and it broke through metal bars on the street. I wondered what kind of tear gas that was—turns out my guess was right. They once claimed Riggy G was behind the use of lethal force during the sufuria demos. This time, who will they blame since he’s not around?”
Sylvia Wangui Abbyzmum:
“So they know that throwing tear gas at peaceful protesters is illegal? Why don’t they go downtown and arrest real goons instead of attacking citizens? Weren’t they sworn in to protect and serve?”
Meso Aminga:
“These are the types who buy their way into the forces. But human blood isn’t water—when they harm others, their own families suffer shortly after. And the world moves on without remembering them.”
Mbugua Trevan:
“A lot was communicated in just three seconds. This exposure may have saved protesters from being attacked and then blamed. A masked officer pretending to be humble, a snitch in the squad, a working 📷 camera—there’s so much to unpack.”
Source: Getty Images
Police officer lobs tear gas at medical camp
In another incident, a video showed the moment a police officer lobbed tear gas at a medical camp during the Gen Z memorial protest.
A boda boda operator recounted the horror after a tear gas canister hit a woman near the GPO, shattering her mouth and teeth.
The video sparked online outrage, with Kenyans blasting the police and the government for the brutal use of force on peaceful protesters.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
