Latest news with #GenZ-led
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Kenya: Officer held after man shot at anti-brutality rally
Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan police officer has been arrested following the shooting of an unarmed civilian during Tuesday's rally to protest the death of a blogger in police custody. DW's Nairobi correspondent, Felix Maringa, witnessed and filmed the man being shot in the head at close range. His video shows two policemen repeatedly striking the man on his head before one of them fired at him with what appeared to be a shotgun. Police say the man was taken to hospital to be treated for his wounds. Jonah Kariuki, the father of the shooting victim, said his son is currently on life support in the ICU. He initially received word that his son had died, but later learned he had survived and was being treated in hospital. The shooting happened as a group of whip and club-wielding motorcyclists – known in Kenya as 'goons' – assaulted protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. 'Police siding with attackers' In a post on X, Amnesty International's Kenya chapter reported the presence of dozens of motorbikes carrying hooded passengers, who were seen whipping protesters and members of the public. 'The goons attacked us. They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it,' Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year's massive Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, told the AFP news agency. 'Police, shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary through our taxes,' one protester told Reuters. Pictures taken by press photographers show counter-protesters running alongside police officers as they disrupted the demonstrations over Ojwang's death. Blogger's death in custody Ojwang, a blogger, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming the country's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. Police initially claimed he died 'after hitting his head against a cell wall'. However, an autopsy revealed injuries consistent with assault as the likely cause of death. Since then, President William Ruto has acknowledged that Ojwang died 'at the hands of the police'. Two officers were arrested last week in connection with the death, but the investigation is ongoing. On Monday, Lagat announced he had temporarily stepped down from his position as investigations into Ojwang's death continue. The protests over Ojwang's death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases. DW
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Kenya: Officer held after man shot at anti-brutality rally – DW – 06/17/2025
DW captured the incident on camera during protests in Nairobi following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. A Kenyan police officer has been arrested following the shooting of an unarmed civilian during Tuesday's rally to protest the death of a blogger in police custody. DW's Nairobi correspondent, Felix Maringa, witnessed and filmed the man being shot in the head at close range. His video shows two policemen repeatedly striking the man on his head before one of them fired at him with what appeared to be a shotgun. Kenyan police shoot dead trader at protests in Nairobi To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Police say the man was taken to hospital to be treated for his wounds. It happened as a group of whip and club-wielding motorcyclists — known in Kenya as "goons" — assaulted protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. Protesters accused police of siding with their attackers In a post on X, Amnesty International's Kenya chapter reported the presence of dozens of motorbikes carrying hooded passengers, who were seen whipping protesters and members of the public. "The goons attacked us. They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it," Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year's massive Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, told the AFP news agency. Armed with whips and clubs the counter-protesters attacked demonstrators upset over the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody Image: Thomas Mukoya/REUTERS "Police, shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary through our taxes," one protester told Reuters. Pictures taken by press photographers show counter-protesters running alongside police officers as they disrupted the demonstrations over Ojwang's death. Blogger's death in custody due to assault Ojwang, a blogger, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming the country's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. Police initially claimed he died "after hitting his head against a cell wall." However, an autopsy revealed injuries consistent with assault as the likely cause of death. Since then, President William Ruto has acknowledged that Ojwang died "at the hands of the police." Two officers were arrested last week in connection with the death, but the investigation is ongoing. Clashes erupt in Kenya's capital Nairobi To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On Monday, Lagat announced he had temporarily stepped down from his position as investigations into Ojwang's death continue. The protests over Ojwang's death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases. Edited by: Alex Berry
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Clashes injure 11 as Kenyans protest death of blogger in police custody
Kenyan police have shot an apparent bystander at close range during the latest protests over the killing of a blogger in police custody this month, triggering even more public fury and demands for accountability. According to witness accounts, a police officer who had concealed his face shot the unarmed man in the head on Tuesday with what appeared to be a shotgun. The man was believed to be a vendor caught up in a confrontation with two officers while standing on a Nairobi sidewalk. He was being treated at Kenya's largest referral government hospital, which said through a spokesperson that his injuries included gunshot wounds. Police in a statement expressed concern and said the officer had been arrested. At least 10 other people were injured in the demonstration as hundreds of men on motorbikes, armed with whips and clubs, attacked protesters in downtown Nairobi. The swarm of men on motorbikes could be heard shouting, 'No protest!' in footage shared by local broadcaster NTV. Amnesty International's Kenya chapter condemned the attack, writing on X that the 'use of militia will escalate confrontation, lawlessness and chaos'. The incident came more than a week after the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger. He died just two days after being arrested in the town of Homa Bay in western Kenya for allegedly criticising Eliud Lagat, the country's deputy police chief. A Kenyan police officer has been arrested in connection with Ojwang's death. The protests reflect a wider concern about police violence. Rights groups said more than 60 people were killed by security forces last year during demonstrations in June and July against a bill that would have increased taxes. Speaking about the clashes on Tuesday, which also saw police fire tear gas at protesters, Ndungi Githuku of the civil rights group Kongamano La Mapinduzi said Kenya was turning into 'a lawless country'. 'We see hundreds of paid goons with whips and weapons, crude weapons, coming to brutalise our people,' he said. One of the demonstrators, Hanifa Adan, who was a leading voice in last year's Gen Z-led protests, told the AFP news agency that the men on motorbikes had 'overwhelmed' her and others. 'They cornered us and beat us with whips, and the police were just watching them do it,' she said. Demonstrations were also held on Tuesday in Kenya's second largest city, Mombasa, with the crowd holding placards saying, 'Stop killing us.' Public anger grew after an autopsy revealed that Ojwang had not fatally injured himself by banging his head against a cell wall, as the Kenyan police had originally claimed. The government's pathologist found that his injuries, which included blunt force trauma, were 'unlikely to be self-inflicted'. President William Ruto admitted on Friday that Ojwang had died 'at the hands of the police', calling his death 'heartbreaking and unacceptable'. The country's leader promised to 'protect citizens from rogue police officers'. In the past four months, more than 20 people have died in police custody in Kenya, according to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. As part of the investigation into Ojwang's death, two senior police officers and a civilian have so far been arrested. Lagat, the deputy police chief, announced on Monday that he was temporarily stepping down from his role.
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Kenyan police officer held over brutality protest shooting – DW – 06/17/2025
DW captured the incident on camera during protests in Nairobi over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang. A Kenyan police officer has been arrested over the shooting Tuesday of an unarmed civilian during a demonstration against the death of a blogger in police custody. DW's Nairobi correspondent, Felix Maringa, witnessed and filmed the trader being shot in the head at close range. His video shows two policemen repeatedly striking the man on his head before one of them fired at him with what appeared to be a shotgun. Kenyan police shoot dead trader at protests in Nairobi To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Police say the man was taken to hospital to be treated for his wounds. It happened as a group of whip and club-wielding motorcyclists — known in Kenya as "goons" — assaulted protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. Protesters accused police of siding with their attackers In a post on X, Amnesty International's Kenya chapter reported the presence of dozens of motorbikes carrying hooded passengers, who were seen whipping protesters and members of the public. "The goons attacked us. They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it," Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year's massive Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, told the AFP news agency. Armed with whips and clubs the counter-protesters attacked demonstrators upset over the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody Image: Thomas Mukoya/REUTERS "Police, shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary through our taxes," one protester told Reuters. Pictures taken by press photographers show counter-protesters running alongside police officers as they disrupted the demonstrations over Ojwang's death. Unknown attackers run with clubs to attack protesters Image: Thomas Mukoya/REUTERS Blogger's death in custody due to assault Ojwang, a blogger, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming the country's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. Police initially claimed he died "after hitting his head against a cell wall." However, an autopsy revealed injuries consistent with assault as the likely cause of death. Since then, President William Ruto has acknowledged that Ojwang died "at the hands of the police." Two officers were arrested last week in connection with the death, but the investigation is ongoing. Clashes erupt in Kenya's capital Nairobi To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On Monday, Lagat announced he had temporarily stepped down from his position as investigations into Ojwang's death continue. The protests over Ojwang's death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases. Edited by: Alex Berry
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
'Goons' attack Kenya protesters demanding justice for Ojwang – DW – 06/17/2025
The death of Albert Ojwang, who was accused of defaming Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat, sparked days of protests in Nairobi. One person was killed in the latest demonstrations. One person was killed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Tuesday during a demonstration against the death of a blogger who died in police custody. DW's Nairobi correspondent, Felix Maringa, witnessed and filmed a protester being shot in the head at close range by a person wearing a police uniform. It happened as a group of whip and club-wielding motorcyclists — known in Kenya as "goons" — assaulted protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. Kenya's police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga told the Reuters news agency he was unaware of the casualty. Protesters accused police of siding with their attackers In a post on X, Amnesty International's Kenya chapter reported the presence of dozens of motorbikes carrying hooded passengers, who were seen whipping protesters and members of the public. "The goons attacked us. They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it," Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year's massive Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, told the AFP news agency. "Police, shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary through our taxes," one protester told Reuters. Pictures taken by press photographers show counter-protesters running alongside police officers as they disrupted the demonstrations over Ojwang's death. Unknown attackers run with clubs to attack protesters Image: Thomas Mukoya/REUTERS Blogger's death in custody due to assault Ojwang, a blogger, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming the country's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. Police initially claimed he died "after hitting his head against a cell wall." However, an autopsy revealed injuries consistent with assault as the likely cause of death. Since then, President William Ruto has acknowledged that Ojwang died "at the hands of the police." Two officers were arrested last week in connection with the death, but the investigation is ongoing. Ojwang's death reignited simmering anger over police brutality in the east African nation Image: Thomas Mukoya/REUTERS On Monday, Lagat announced he had temporarily stepped down from his position as investigations into Ojwang's death continue. The protests over Ojwang's death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases. Edited by: Alex Berry
