Security forces and hundreds of pro-government militants wielding clubs and whips violently confronted anti-brutality demonstrators in Nairobi's business district on Tuesday. The clashes turned deadly when footage captured a police officer firing a shotgun directly into the head of an unarmed mask vendor at point-blank range.
The critically injured man, identified as a civilian bystander, miraculously survived the execution-style shooting and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital's intensive care unit. "Despite severe head trauma, he remained conscious during transport," confirmed Vincent Ochieng, a Kenya Red Cross crisis responder.
Protesters initially gathered peacefully to demand accountability for the recent death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody, and to mark the anniversary of last year's youth-led demonstrations against economic policies. Tensions escalated when motorcycle-riding assailants - locally termed "goons" - descended upon the rally with makeshift weapons under apparent police protection.
Law enforcement officers deployed tear gas against demonstrators while allegedly shielding the armed groups, prompting protesters to retaliate by hurling stones and setting motorbikes ablaze. Police later announced the arrest of the officer responsible for the bystander shooting, claiming the weapon used was an "anti-riot shotgun."
Despite authorities' denial of collaborating with the militant groups - stating they "do not condone unlawful groupings" - witnesses reported officers actively guarded the attackers. The government had sought to avoid unrest this year by abandoning tax hikes that triggered the 2024 protests, during which human rights groups documented at least 60 fatalities.
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