Latest news with #KongamanoLaMapinduzi
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.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
One killed in clashes as Kenyans protest death of blogger in police custody
Hundreds of men on motorbikes, armed with whips and clubs, have attacked protesters in downtown Nairobi while they were demonstrating against alleged extrajudicial killings, following the death of a blogger in police custody. One person was killed on Tuesday as the assailants violently attacked and dispersed the demonstrators. A Reuters journalist saw the man's body on the ground with a bleeding head wound. But it was not clear how he had died or who the man was. 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 caused by his death reflect a wider concern about police violence. Rights groups say more than 60 people were killed by security forces last year during demonstrations in June and July against a controversial financial 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 AFP 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'. Kenyan 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 (IPOA). 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.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Motorbike-riding ‘goons' attack Kenya protesters
Protesters demanding justice for a man who died in police custody were beaten by mobs armed with whips while police stood by in central Nairobi. Demonstrators react near a burning motorbike during a protes in Nairobi on June 17, 2025. Hundreds of men armed with whips and clubs attacked groups of protesters in Kenya on Tuesday as they demonstrated against the recent killing of a man in police custody, AFP journalists saw. Tensions have risen as the east African country approaches the first anniversary of massive Gen Z-led protests sparked by tax rises, which the government has been desperate to avoid this year. (Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP) Hundreds of men armed with whips and clubs attacked protesters in Kenya on Tuesday as they demonstrated against the recent killing of a man in police custody, AFP journalists saw. Tensions have risen as the east African country approaches the first anniversary of massive Gen Z-led protests sparked by tax rises, which the government has been desperate to avoid this year. A more cautious finance bill means protests have been limited this year, but people have come back to the streets over the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody earlier this month. Protest over death of teacher in police custody In central Nairobi, the epicentre of last year's demonstrations, small groups of protesters gathered peacefully, calling for an end to police brutality and the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death. But a mob of men on motorbikes, known in Kenya as 'goons', arrived soon after, armed with whips and clubs, said AFP journalists at the scene. '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 demonstrations, told AFP. ALSO READ: Kenyan author and literary giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o dies Shop owners hastily closed their stores as AFP witnessed police officers firing tear gas into the crowds. One armed man told AFP he had been hired by the Nairobi governor's office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'They told us that we are coming to protect the shops, I didn't know it would turn out like this,' said the man, who was carrying a club, adding that he was paid 1,000 shillings (around $8) and 'just wanted the money'. Kenya has history of politicians using armed mobs Kenya has a history of politicians using armed mobs. Earlier this year, President William Ruto was accused of paying 'goons' to follow his cavalcade around a tour of Nairobi to prevent protests. Ruto adamantly denied paying any mobs after the tour descended into widespread violence and robberies against bystanders and had to be cut short. ALSO READ: Kenyan court extends investigation into four filmmakers arrested for BBC documentary 'We are turning into a lawless country,' Ndungi Githuku, of civil rights group Kongamano La Mapinduzi, told AFP at Tuesday's protest. 'We see hundreds of paid goons, with whips and weapons, crude weapons, coming to brutalise our people,' he said. A helicopter could be seen hovering over the central business district. Last year's protests 'There are many people on boda bodas (motorbikes) who have infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations,' motorbike driver Rashid, who asked not to give his full name, told AFP. Last year's protests peaked when thousands stormed parliament on June 25 where lawmakers were debating the unpopular finance bill. Rights groups say at least 60 people were killed during the protests in June and July 2024, and dozens more were illegally detained by security forces in the aftermath. NOW READ: 2024 recap: The five most significant protests around the world – By: © Agence France-Presse
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Motorbike-riding ‘goons' attack Kenya protesters
NAIROBI: Hundreds of men armed with whips and clubs attacked groups of protesters in Kenya on Tuesday as they demonstrated against the recent killing of a man in police custody, AFP journalists saw. Tensions have risen as the east African country approaches the first anniversary of massive Gen Z-led protests sparked by tax rises, which the government has been desperate to avoid this year. A more cautious finance bill means protests have been limited this year, but people have come back to the streets over the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody. In central Nairobi, the epicentre of last year's demonstrations, small groups of protesters gathered peacefully, calling for an end to police brutality and the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death earlier this month. But a swarm of men riding on motorbikes, known in Kenya as 'goons', arrived soon after, armed with whips and clubs, said AFP journalists at the scene. 'The goons attacked us. They overwhelmed us at first,' Hanifa Adan, one of the leading voices from last year's demonstrations, told AFP. 'They cornered us and beat us with whips and the police were just watching them do it.' Shop owners hastily closed their stores as AFP witnessed police officers firing tear gas into the crowds, and at least one motorbike was set ablaze. 'We are turning into a lawless country,' Ndungi Githuku, of civil rights group Kongamano La Mapinduzi, told AFP. 'We see hundreds of paid goons, with whips and weapons, crude weapons, coming to brutalise our people,' he said. 'We are shocked to see the politicians in Kenya, led by the president, are relying on goons to come with the whips,' he said. A helicopter could be seen hovering over the central business district. 'There are many people on boda bodas (motorbikes) who have infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations,' motorbike driver Rashid, who asked not to give his full name, told AFP. Last year's protests peaked when thousands stormed parliament on June 25. Rights groups say at least 60 people were killed during the protests in June and July 2024, and dozens more were illegally detained by security forces in the aftermath.
