Hawker Shot Dead by Police During Anti-Lagat Protests in Nairobi
The disturbing footage shows the officers assaulting the man before one of them fires a point-blank shot, leaving him sprawled on the pavement.
Hawker shot dead by police along Moi Avenue during protests demanding Deputy IG Eliud Lagat’s resignation, sparking tension in Nairobi CBD. Photo/Citizen Digital.
By Lucky Sidney Mulerah
Tension gripped Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday after a hawker was shot dead by anti-riot police along Moi Avenue during protests demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
According to eyewitness accounts and a video now widely shared on social media, the hawker—who was reportedly selling face masks—was cornered by two armed officers during the protests.
The disturbing footage shows the officers assaulting the man before one of them fires a point-blank shot, leaving him sprawled on the pavement.
The unnamed victim, believed to be in his early 30s, was unarmed and not part of the demonstrators. Good Samaritans were later seen rushing to carry the wounded man, attempting to save his life. He, however, succumbed to the gunshot wound before reaching a medical facility.
The killing has sparked a wave of public outrage, with Kenyans on social media condemning the excessive use of force. Hashtags such as #JusticeForTheHawker and #EndPoliceBrutality have since trended across platforms.
This incident adds to a long list of extrajudicial killings that have plagued Kenya’s law enforcement. According to Amnesty International Kenya, more than 100 people died in police hands in 2023 alone, many of them during peaceful protests or in low-income neighborhoods.
Human rights activists are now demanding immediate action from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), calling for the suspension and arrest of the officers involved.
“This is not just an abuse of power, it’s murder,” one protester shouted during a vigil held Tuesday evening outside City Hall.
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