Father of Shot Kenyan Man Demands Police Accountability Amid Protests
During protests in Nairobi over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, 22-year-old Boniface Kariuki was shot by police. His father demands accountability, and the officer has been arrested. Community activists call for justice and express concerns over police brutality, echoing a longstanding issue in Kenya.
In a tragic turn of events during recent protests in Kenya, the father of Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old victim shot by police, is demanding accountability. Jonah Kariuki told the press that his son remains hospitalized after a successful surgery. The bullet grazed his head, but he is stable, which is a small comfort amid the outrage over police violence.
The protests erupted in Nairobi following the suspicious death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody earlier this week. Ojwang, who was arrested for allegedly sharing false information about a high-ranking police official, was found dead under circumstances that police attributed to self-inflicted injury. Activists have expressed skepticism regarding this explanation.
Kariuki was reportedly caught in the chaos, armed only with a packet of face masks when an officer shot him in the head at close range. The officer, wearing a mask to conceal his identity, has been arrested and is facing calls for prosecution. The tension has escalated as the public demands justice for both Kariuki and Ojwang, whose death raised further questions about police conduct.
The Kenyan authorities are on alert, with calls from activists for the arrest of police deputy inspector general Eliud Langat, who had filed a complaint against Ojwang prior to his death. Langat claims he stepped back from his duties to facilitate investigations, while two officers from Central Police Station were detained last week in connection to the ongoing probe.
Okiya Omtatah, a known politician and activist, did not hold back on calling for the prosecution of the officer involved in the shooting of Kariuki. He mentioned the oddity of officers being masked during the incident, raising further alarms about police procedures. The protests turned chaotic, resulting in injuries of eleven individuals, some severe enough to require treatment for gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, the judiciary expressed commitment to ensuring justice, specifically regarding claims of police brutality. The United Kingdom’s embassy in Kenya has also urged for a prompt, unbiased investigation into the police’s use of force. For a country grappling with its history of police violence, this incident reignites longstanding fears and frustrations.
President William Ruto has faced criticism on this issue, having previously promised to crack down on police abuses. Last year’s protests over a finance bill resulted in the abduction and murder of activists—an echo that resonates strongly in the current climate of protest against police actions. The community and international observers remain on edge, awaiting necessary reforms and accountability to ensure justice is served.
The shooting of Boniface Kariuki during a protest in Kenya has raised significant concerns surrounding police accountability and brutality. With ongoing investigations into the actions of the police, community activists and family members alike are calling for justice. The situation underscores a troubling history of police violence in Kenya, prompting heightened demands for transparency and the protection of civilians.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
