This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, a tragic incident unfolded in the western city of Lesos, Kenya, where police fired at a crowd of motorcycle taxi drivers protesting against the arrest of a colleague for violating coronavirus restrictions.
According to a police statement, the first shots fired killed a 40-year-old man after the drivers allegedly attacked one of the officers. Two more people were shot dead after the crowd followed the officers back to their police station.
Kenyan police inspector general, Hillary Mutyambai, has ordered the arrest of the officers involved in the shooting and expressed regret over the loss of lives. "A thorough investigation will be carried out and action will be taken. They must face the law," he said.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability, particularly in light of increasing scrutiny over alleged excessive force and unlawful killings by Kenyan police, especially in poor neighborhoods.
Earlier this week, a Kenyan policeman was charged with the murder of a 13-year-old boy while enforcing the COVID-19 curfew order.
