This archive report was first published on 19 August 2021.
On Thursday morning, August 19, 2021, protests rocked Kayole in Nairobi after police officers on patrol allegedly killed a 38-year-old man the previous night.
John Kiiru, a resident of Kayole, was allegedly beaten up to death for violating the 10pm-4am curfew imposed by the government.
According to eyewitnesses, Kiiru had hailed a boda boda home when police officers cornered and attacked him at Tushauriane Stage. The rider of the motorbike managed to escape, leaving Kiiru to face the officers alone.
Despite his attempts to flee on foot, Kiiru was pursued by the officers who allegedly beat him up, causing him grievous harm.
Esther Wanjiru, Kiiru's spouse, told The Standard that he called her at 12:30am on Thursday and informed her that cops had seriously assaulted him.
Unfortunately, Kiiru succumbed to his injuries at the scene, leaving his body lying at the assault site as protesters demanded action be taken against his killers.
Angry residents took to the streets to protest Kiiru's killing, barricading roads and lighting bonfires. Attempts by police officers to take Kiiru's body from the scene were met with opposition.
