This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, a tragic incident occurred at Lessos Shopping Centre in Nandi County, Kenya. Lazarus Tirop, a disabled cobbler and well-known figure in the community, attempted to intervene in an altercation between two police officers and a boda boda rider. Unfortunately, Tirop was shot dead, leaving behind a pool of blood.
His death sparked outrage, and a public protest ensued, with some individuals attempting to overrun the local police station. Although the situation escalated, only two people lost their lives that day. One was shot by police, while the other allegedly fell to his death from a flagpole.
On the same day, the Daily Nation published a data-driven story highlighting the trend of police-related deaths over the past five months. The report, which is available on our website, documented 101 deaths and provided detailed information about the victims and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
However, the government's reaction to the report was shocking, with security services accusing the Daily Nation of misrepresentation, incitement, and unfairness. They claimed that the number of deaths was incorrect and that a file picture was used to represent an event from the past five months.
Despite these allegations, the Daily Nation stands by its report, stating that the number of deaths attributed to police violence is based on documented incidents and facts. The report shows a 40% rise in such incidents over the past five months compared to the same period last year.
It is essential to acknowledge that policing, like parenting, is a communal affair that should be open to criticism. While the majority of officers in the National Police Service perform their duties with gallantry and patriotism, a small minority continues to dent the image of the force. It is crucial to address these issues through systemic, long-term interventions rather than bullying the media into silence.
