Nairobi, June 17 -Kenyans are reeling in anger after police shot and killed a hawker, Eli Joshua, during protests in Nairobi demanding justice for blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.
Witnesses say Eli, who was selling masks and water near Imenti House, was unarmed and not involved in the protest when two officers confronted him. A widely circulated video shows one officer firing at close range. “He wasn’t even protesting just hustling,” said an eyewitness.
The killing sparked chaos in the CBD as demonstrators clashed with riot police and alleged hired goons on motorbikes, some of whom attacked protesters and journalists. Two bikes were torched in retaliation. Several journalists reported being robbed, with no police intervention.
Ojwang, arrested on June 6 after allegedly defaming Deputy IG Eliud Lagat online, died in a police cell two days later. While police claimed he collapsed, a postmortem showed signs of blunt force trauma and torture.
Lagat stepped aside on Monday, but many believe that’s not enough. “Stepping aside is not justice,” said Hussein Khalid of VOCAL Africa. “Lagat must be arrested and charged.”
IPOA has named 17 officers as suspects and arrested three so far, including the Central Police Station OCS.
Eli Joshua’s killing has reignited outrage over extrajudicial killings. “He was just earning a living. Now he’s dead,” said protester Cynthia Achieng.
Protesters vowed to return to the streets. “If they think bullets will silence us, they’re wrong,” said student activist Daniel Okoth.
