A peaceful protest turned tragic on Nairobi’s Moi Avenue when a hawker selling face masks was shot dead at close range by a police officer, the incident captured on camera as demonstrators marched in solidarity with slain blogger Albert Ojwang.
According to eyewitnesses, the hawker, whose identity has not been released, was near the protest banner line when an officer approached at point-blank range and fired a single pistol shot. The man collapsed instantly, shocking onlookers and prompting a hurried dispersal of the crowd. The chaotic footage, widely shared on social media, shows the moment the hawker fell, dunking the protest in raw grief and horror.
This comes as protests intensified following the death of 31-year-old Albert Ojwang in police custody, originally claimed to be self-inflicted before an independent autopsy revealed signs of assault . The public outcry has already sparked national unrest, with live rounds and tear gas being used to disperse crowds. On Tuesday alone, one protester was confirmed killed, with several others injured, igniting further condemnation of police tactics.
The shooting of the mask hawker—a civilian vendor unaffiliated with the protest—has inflamed public anger even more. Human rights advocates are demanding urgent answers: Who authorized the use of lethal force? Was there any attempt to de-escalate the situation?
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been called in to investigate, and the officer has been relieved of duty pending inquiry. The Ministry of Interior has instructed the police to exercise utmost restraint and to uphold the rights of protestors and bystanders.
The wave of demonstrations continues to swell as Kenyans call for justice—not only for Albert Ojwang, but also for this latest, heartbreaking loss. As police maintain a heavy presence along Moi Avenue, the city braces for more action and revelations in the days ahead.
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