This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On Tuesday morning, July 23, 2019, residents of Nairobi's Mathare 4B area held riots following the demolition of their structures by the police.
According to eyewitnesses, the riots started at around 4 am, with the police attempting to restore calm by lobbing teargas canisters at the rioters.
A two-year-old boy was allegedly injured after being hit by a teargas canister lobbed by the police in his house.
The child's father administered first aid to the baby, who fainted after the incident.
The riots led to the closure of businesses and disruption of normal school programs, with pupils unable to attend school.
Residents claim that the police conducted the demolitions to push them out of their business premises and sell them to foreigners who are offering higher prices.
They also accuse the police of using their powers to carry out brutality against the residents, terming it the worst police conduct.
Residents are calling on the Government to take responsibility and sack police officers who are not ethical and do not work in accordance with the law.
