Kenyan Police Brutality Under Scrutiny After Two Deaths Spark Outcry

Nairobi, Kenya – Recent events in Kenya have brought renewed attention to allegations of police brutality and misconduct, sparking widespread public outrage and calls for justice. Two distinct cases, involving a street vendor and a teacher, have ignited a national conversation about accountability within the police force. Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old street vendor, was reportedly shot in the head at point-blank range by two police officers during a protest against police brutality. Eyewitnesses claim Kariuki was not participating in the protest but was simply selling masks when he was approached, punched, and then shot without provocation. Miraculously, Kariuki survived the shooting, though a CT scan revealed severe brain damage, indicating his life will be permanently altered. In a separate incident, 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang died in police custody after being arrested on charges of insulting a police boss on social media. Police initially stated that Ojwang died by suicide, claiming he repeatedly hit his head against a cell wall. However, an independent autopsy later contradicted this account, revealing that Ojwang was brutally beaten to death. These incidents are not isolated, as reports of police kidnappings, false accusations, imprisonment, and killings are increasingly common across Kenya. This systemic issue has led to growing public discontent, with Kenyans organizing a major country-wide protest on June 25th, described as "the mother of all protests," to demand an end to corruption and police impunity. The unfolding situation underscores a critical need for transparency and reform within Kenya's law enforcement agencies.