Father of a Man Shot During Latest Protests in Kenya Calls for Police Accountability

The father of Boniface Kariuki, a man shot during protests in Kenya, is calling for police accountability. His son remains hospitalized following surgery after being shot in the head. Protests erupted over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, raising deeper concerns about police brutality within the country.

Activists, alongside the father of a Kenyan man shot by police during recent protests, are demanding accountability from law enforcement. The incident involved Boniface Kariuki, who was reportedly shot at close range while holding a packet of face masks amidst clashes in Nairobi. His father, Jonah Kariuki, confirmed that his son is in intensive care following successful surgery to treat the wound, which grazed his head just above the ear.

The protests erupted after the controversial death of a blogger in police custody. Albert Ojwang, arrested earlier this month, was found dead with police claiming he had hit his head against the cell wall. This has sparked outrage among citizens and activists who are questioning the official account of his death. Following this incident, demonstrators on Tuesday demanded urgent action against police officers, particularly targeting Eliud Langat, the deputy inspector general who had filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang prior to his death.

As the protests escalated, Kenya’s police force expressed concern over the shooting and reported that the involved officer has been arrested. Although the protests initially aimed to highlight Ojwang’s case, they quickly grew into a broader cry against systemic police brutality in Kenya. Activist Okiya Omtatah emphasized the need for prosecution of the shooter, raising questions about the appropriateness of officers wearing masks during such operations.

On Tuesday, the clashes resulted in multiple injuries, with at least eleven individuals needing treatment at a national referral hospital, some suffering from gunshot wounds. The judiciary has assured the public of its commitment to uphold justice in cases of police violence. Meanwhile, the U.K. embassy has called for an independent investigation into the police actions during the protests.

The historical context of police brutality in Kenya adds a significant backdrop to these events. President William Ruto had previously promised reforms to address these issues, but incidents like this one continue to highlight deep-rooted problems. Last year, the country witnessed alarming cases of police violence during protests, which attracted national and international attention. The demand for accountability and justice is now louder than ever, echoing through the streets of Nairobi and beyond.

The shooting of Boniface Kariuki during protests has ignited widespread calls for police accountability in Kenya, highlighting ongoing issues of police brutality in the country. The protests have not only focused on Kariuki’s plight but also on the suspicious death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody. As demands for justice rise, the Kenyan government faces mounting pressure to act decisively against police violence and ensure investigation transparency.

Original Source: www.newsday.com