On June 19, 2025, Nairobi witnessed fierce protests triggered by the police shooting of a man amid rising tensions over government actions.
**Protests Erupt in Nairobi Following Police Shooting of Protester**
**Protests Erupt in Nairobi Following Police Shooting of Protester**
Demonstrators express outrage over police violence in reaction to the shooting incident.
The streets of Nairobi were filled with protestors on Tuesday, voicing their anger against escalating police violence sparked by the shocking death of Albert Ojwang, a blogger who perished in police custody earlier this month. The protests took a violent turn when a police officer shot a demonstrator, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, in the head as he attempted to move away from the confrontation.
Chilling images of the shooting depict the moment the officer fired, displaying an orange muzzle flash close to Mr. Kariuki's temple. Subsequent photos captured the instant of his fall, with visible blood on the side of his head. Fortunately, Kariuki survived the gunshot, but the shocking incident has only intensified public outrage regarding ongoing police brutality in Kenya.
This demonstration and the resultant turmoil serve as a major setback for President William Ruto as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of prior protests marked by violence and casualties due to previous demonstrations against a controversial tax bill. These earlier protests resulted in dozens of deaths, with many others injured, and saw authorities accused of unlawful detentions or abductions during the unrest.
The recent protests have been primarily organized by youth utilizing social media to spotlight their grievances and demand accountability. This grassroots movement poses a substantial challenge to President Ruto’s efforts to address the nation’s economic troubles while facing allegations of authoritarian conduct in handling dissent. The growing public sentiment against police brutality signals a critical juncture in Kenyan society as citizens seek justice and reform amidst escalating tensions.
Chilling images of the shooting depict the moment the officer fired, displaying an orange muzzle flash close to Mr. Kariuki's temple. Subsequent photos captured the instant of his fall, with visible blood on the side of his head. Fortunately, Kariuki survived the gunshot, but the shocking incident has only intensified public outrage regarding ongoing police brutality in Kenya.
This demonstration and the resultant turmoil serve as a major setback for President William Ruto as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of prior protests marked by violence and casualties due to previous demonstrations against a controversial tax bill. These earlier protests resulted in dozens of deaths, with many others injured, and saw authorities accused of unlawful detentions or abductions during the unrest.
The recent protests have been primarily organized by youth utilizing social media to spotlight their grievances and demand accountability. This grassroots movement poses a substantial challenge to President Ruto’s efforts to address the nation’s economic troubles while facing allegations of authoritarian conduct in handling dissent. The growing public sentiment against police brutality signals a critical juncture in Kenyan society as citizens seek justice and reform amidst escalating tensions.
