The fatal shooting of a hawker during Monday’s peaceful protest in Nairobi continues to stir national outrage, after Suba North MP Hon. Millie Odhiambo revealed that the slain man was a resident of Homa Bay County.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Hon. Odhiambo condemned the police for what she termed as “unjustified and inhumane use of force” against unarmed civilians. “The young man who was shot while selling masks was not a criminal — he was from Homa Bay, trying to earn a living,” she said, her voice laced with emotion. “We must put an end to this culture of extrajudicial killings.”
The hawker was gunned down at close range by police officers deployed to manage crowds during a peaceful march organized by human rights activists calling for justice for blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who allegedly died in police custody. The horrifying incident was captured live on camera, triggering immediate backlash both online and offline.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah echoed Millie Odhiambo’s sentiments, calling on the police to exercise restraint. “Police excesses must be checked. This is not the first time we are witnessing deadly force being used on innocent Kenyans. It must stop,” Ichung’wah stated.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide have demanded urgent action, with some calling for the resignation or suspension of top police commanders involved in the Nairobi operation.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since launched investigations into the incident. Meanwhile, rights groups and civil society organizations are demanding justice, and are planning fresh protests in Nairobi and Homa Bay.
Kenyans online have turned the slain hawker into a symbol of the wider struggle against police brutality, with the hashtag #JusticeForTheHawker gaining traction.
