Credited from: AFRICANEWS
Amid ongoing protests against police brutality in Kenya, a police officer has been arrested for shooting an unarmed face mask vendor during demonstrations in Nairobi. The incident, which occurred during public outcry over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, has drawn significant outrage, especially after videos surfaced depicting the officer shooting the vendor at close range, striking him in the face, according to AA and Africanews.
The protests were ignited after Ojwang, who died in custody following an alleged defamation arrest, was said to have suffered blunt-force trauma and strangulation, contradicting police claims of a suicide. Video footage showed the moment the shooting of the vendor occurred, intensifying calls for accountability from demonstrators demanding action against police violence, as highlighted by AA and India Times.
Following the protests, the arrested police officer was charged, echoing the demands of victims' families and rights advocates who seek justice in a nation plagued by a history of police brutality. A second officer involved has also been arrested, as investigators continue to uncover the extent of violence during the protests linked to Ojwang's case, according to Africanews and India Times.
The Kenyan public's outrage has been further fueled by statements from political leaders, including President William Ruto, who labeled the death of Ojwang as "heartbreaking and unacceptable." He has called for prompt investigations and accountability measures to address the ongoing issue of police-related violence, a sentiment echoed across multiple platforms, as stated by AA and Africanews.