Protests in Kayole after police allegedly kill man, 38, during curfew enforcement

Irate Kayole residents lit bonfires and barricaded roads to protest John Kiiru’s alleged killing by police. [Standard]

Protests rocked Kayole in Nairobi on Thursday morning after police officers on patrol allegedly killed a 38-year-old man on Wednesday night.

John Kiiru was allegedly beaten up to death for violating the 10pm-4am curfew.

Kiiru had hailed a boda boda home, when police officers cornered and attacked him at Tushauriane Stage. The rider of the motorbike that he was aboard, however, managed to escape.

Kiiru, who attempted to flee on foot, was pursued by the officers who allegedly beat him up, causing him grievous harm.

The deceased’s spouse, Esther Wanjiru, told The Standard that Kiiru called her at 12:30am on Thursday and informed her that cops had seriously assaulted him.

The victim, who was allegedly abandoned by the police officers, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

On Thursday morning, his body was still lying at the assault site as protesters demanded action be taken against the 38-year-old man’s 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.