NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenyan police are under scrutiny following the killing of an unarmed protester on Thursday.
Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old man, was among thousands of Nairobi residents peacefully protesting against the Financial Bill 2024 when he was fatally shot by a plainclothes police officer under unclear circumstances.
The incident, which occurred around 7 pm, has sparked outrage and condemnation from Kenyans and human rights organizations.
Despite the constitutionally guaranteed right to picket, Kenyan authorities have consistently failed to respect and uphold this fundamental freedom.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said they are probing the incident.
Human rights groups said the countrywide protests against the Financial Bill 2024 were largely peaceful, yet police responded with excessive force, culminating in Masai’s untimely death.
More than 200 people sustained injuries during the protests, while dozens others were arrested.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called out the Kenyan police for their heavy-handed tactics, which often escalate peaceful demonstrations into violent confrontations.
Human rights activists say the use of plainclothes officers to suppress dissent is particularly alarming, as it blurs the lines of accountability and undermines public trust in law enforcement.
The government’s response to peaceful protests with lethal force is not only a gross violation of human rights but also a chilling message to those who dare to speak out against injustice.
ICJ Kenya has also condemned the incident, saying; “We reiterate that the use of live bullets against protesters is disproportionate and unlawful.
