Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters in Nairobi CBD
Police in Nairobi have resorted to using tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered in the CBD to present a petition demanding justice for victims of anti-government protests. The confrontation between the protesters and police led to officers lobbing tear gas canisters to break up the gathering.
In footage shared online, police were seen firing tear gas into the air and arresting some of the demonstrators. The protesters, dressed in white shirts and black trousers, carried placards and chanted songs as they marched.
Activist Boniface Mwangi had earlier informed the police of the planned march, which was to proceed from Kimathi Street through Moi Avenue to Harambee House and then to Parliament Road to lay flowers in memory of those who lost their lives during previous protests.
This demonstration marks one month since Kenyans took to the streets in protests against the government, during which several individuals were killed, many were injured, and significant property damage occurred. Police have been accused of using excessive force during these demonstrations.
On Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga stated that investigations so far have not found any police officers culpable of brutality. He mentioned ongoing cases involving 19 police officers in Nairobi, with one officer already charged with murder. Additional cases are pending in Laikipia, Meru, and Taita Taveta.
The DPP urged anyone with information on police conduct during the protests to record statements with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). He emphasized the importance of these statements in determining the causes of injuries noted in post-mortem reports.
Ingonga highlighted a specific case involving the death of Rex Masai on June 18 along Moi Avenue. CCTV footage did not clearly identify the shooter, and key witnesses who transported Masai to the hospital and witnessed the incident have not come forward.
“I call upon any person with information about this case, especially the witnesses who took the deceased to the hospital and those who witnessed the shooting, to come forward and record a statement with IPOA,” Ingonga urged.
The DPP’s office received files from IPOA regarding four victims of alleged police shootings, and the investigation into these incidents is ongoing.
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