In Kenya, police officers shot an unarmed bystander, causing widespread outcry from security forces and hundreds of other men who were carrying whips and clubs.
The East African nation already had high tense relations with the country as it celebrated a year since widespread Gen Z-led protests over the state of the economy, and recent demonstrations were sparked by a man’s death earlier this month.
Small groups of protesters gathered on Tuesday in Nairobi’s business district, the epicenter of the last year’s demonstrations, to demand that police brutality be end.
However, hundreds of men riding motorcycles, known in Kenya as “goons,” armed with temporary weapons, quickly attacked them.
Police actively guarded the armed men and fired tear gas at protesters, who responded by ejecting stones and burning at least two of their motorcycles as shop owners had hurriedly shut down their businesses.
After videos of a police officer shooting a bystander in the head at close range were widely circulated, there was outrage.
Despite suffering a severe injury, the man who had been selling face masks was still alive.
He was taken to the ICU after being handed over to Kenyatta National Hospital. He had a lot of criticism. He was still breathing, according to Kenya Red Cross disaster recovery officer Vincent Ochieng.
The police stated in a statement that it “does not condone such unlawful groupings,” but it did not directly deny any cooperation with the armed “goons.”
Additionally, it stated that the officer who “used an anti-riot shotgun” to shoot the man in the head had been detained.
With its most recent finance bill, the government had been trying to stop unrest this year, avoiding the tax increases that had sparked weeks of protests in June and July 2024.
However, protests have taken place in response to the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang earlier this month while he was being held by the police.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of the senior officer who is to blame for the death.
On June 25, 2016, thousands of people stormed Parliament to debate the unpopular finance bill, which set off protests last year.
