Police Shooting Escalates Nairobi Protest Unrest

Protests erupted in Nairobi after blogger Albert Ojwang died in police custody, prompting widespread demands for justice and an end to police brutality. Demonstrations escalated when a masked police officer shot an unarmed street vendor in the head at close range, an act captured by journalists and sparking national outrage. Multiple reports indicated that police appeared to cooperate with or ignore violent motorbike-riding 'goons' who attacked protesters and bystanders. Amnesty International and other watchdogs highlighted the violence as part of a longstanding pattern of extrajudicial killings and police abuse in Kenya. The police officer involved in the shooting was arrested, and senior officials, including Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, faced intense scrutiny and calls for resignation. The unrest disrupted Nairobi’s business district, left several injured, and brought renewed criticism of the government’s response to dissent.