Senseless violence: Policeman who shot face mask seller in the head arrested
Police boss Douglas Kanja says the anti-riot policeman seen shooting a face mask seller in the head during Tuesday's protests has been arrested.
"NPS has noted with great concern, an incident involving shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun," it said.
The incident happened on Mondlane Street near Imenti House just before 2.30pm.
It was captured on video by witnesses and quickly went viral on social media, with Kenyans condemning police for the senseless violence.
The man had spent most of the day selling face masks to both members of the public and police officers, hoping to make good sales during the protests calling for the resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat over the death of Albert Ojwang in a police cell.
As officers tried to disperse a crowd of people using tear gas and rubber bullets, one officer was struck on the head by a large stone and began bleeding profusely. His colleagues quickly helped him into a police Land Cruiser before charging at the protesters who scattered, leaving the vendor behind and isolated.
In a video seen by the Nation, two uniformed officers are seen assaulting the mask vendor, who does not resist and appears to be explaining himself.
Moments later, an officer shoots him pointblank in the head.
The vendor, who was dressed in a blue jacket, immediately collapses as blood pours from his head. He lay motionless before members of the public came to his aid. He was rushed to Bliss Medical Centre.
Outrage
The shooting sparked outrage among protesters who charged towards police officers in Land Cruisers parked along Moi Avenue opposite Nairobi Sports House, forcing them to retreat and speed away from the scene.
“He was just trying to make money by selling face masks. Police cornered him without asking anything and started assaulting him. Moments later, one of them shot him at close range,” said Ms Jane Atieno, a witness.
Melvin Kamau, who was walking along Moi Avenue at the time, was among the first to respond. He told Nation that he found the vendor lying in a pool of blood before other protesters joined in.
“By the time he was being rushed to Bliss Hospital near Archives, he was unresponsive. I don’t know what happened after that as I didn’t follow them,” Kamau said.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo described the incident as “unacceptable.”
“He appears harmless in the video. Why would anyone decide to shoot him? Police officers should know how to manage such situations without resorting to deadly force,” she said.