In Nairobi, Kenya, an intense and shocking incident took place on Tuesday as a Kenyan police officer shot a civilian in the head from close proximity. This distressing event transpired in the midst of ongoing protests against widespread police brutality within the country. The shooting was captured by a photographer as it unfolded on one of Nairobi’s most bustling streets, sparking widespread anger among Kenyans who have witnessed similar acts by law enforcement against protesters or civilians.
While confrontations with police are not uncommon, Tuesday’s incident was extraordinary because it occurred in the wide-open view of journalists. The photos, despite their graphic detail, have been published as they provide undeniable evidence of the civilian shooting by the police.
In a sequence of distressing events captured in the photos, the victim, apparently a vendor and not a protester, is shown holding a packet of face masks he intended to sell. The photographs document the arrival of officers as they disembark from a vehicle wielding guns. One officer, shielded behind a face mask, can be seen shooting towards protesters who were not visible within the frame of the photo.
Following this, the same officer along with a colleague approaches the vendor, with unclear intentions as they brandish their weapons. Amidst the escalating confusion, the officers push the vendor who, in a defensive act, raises his hands towards his face. As he attempts to move away, he glances back only to have the officer fire at him, causing him to collapse on the sidewalk. The officers then walk away from the scene, leaving a shocking scene behind.
The vendor was subsequently transported to a Nairobi hospital for treatment and, as per hospital spokespeople, he survived the ordeal. While he was not the sole individual wounded by gunfire during the protests, his case has quickly become emblematic of the broader grievances.
Patrick Amoth, a senior official from the health ministry, informed local media that the victim, still unidentified, was undergoing surgery with an intensive care bed prepared for him. This incident sheds light on the troubled history of extrajudicial actions by Kenyan police during protests, a problem that watchdog groups actively document, and which has prompted vows for reform from various officials.
The protest on Tuesday was ignited by the recent death of a blogger while in police custody. A senior police official had previously accused the blogger of defamation. As the day’s events unraveled, with increased scrutiny directed toward the officer involved in the shooting, police confirmed the officer’s arrest, albeit without naming him publicly. Outraged citizens, however, focused heavily on identifying him via his uniform.
While President William Ruto has committed to curbing police violence, he has not yet released a comment on the incident. Another protest addressing police abuses is already set for June 24, and the tension surrounding these issues continues to build.