Senior Catholic bishops on Wednesday, June 18, broke their silence on the recent unrest in Nairobi and across the country, issuing an urgent message to Catholics and Kenyans at large.
Led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, the clergy condemned the point-blank shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, by police, as well as the looting of shops by goons during the protests.
While calling for calm, particularly among the youth, Archbishop Anyolo urged all Catholics in Kenya to pray the rosary over the next three days with four key intentions.
“We are calling on our Catholics in the Archdiocese of Nairobi and beyond to engage in a marathon of rosary prayers for the next three days with four key intentions,” he stated.
Archbishop Anyolo outlined the four key intentions for the rosary prayers, including respect for human life and dignity, and the restoration of law and order in Nairobi and across the country.
He further called on Catholics to pray for those who have lost their lives and livelihoods, as well as families mourning loved ones killed during the ongoing protests. Another key intention was to pray for the country’s leaders, that God may touch their hearts and grant them the wisdom to recognise the damage being caused.
In addition, the Archbishop directed all priests to dedicate Sunday Mass to these four intentions and continue praying for God’s mercy amid the mounting political tensions in the country.
During yesterday’s protests, a police officer was caught on camera shooting down an unarmed vendor in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the officer and his colleague approach the man at Mondlane Street along Moi Avenue. Instead of passing the man, the police officer and his colleague paused, with one slapping the victim. The other police officer then hit the man with the butt of his gun just moments before the first officer aimed his gun at him and shot him at close range.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja later confirmed the officer was arrested after a massive furore that was sparked by the clip. The police added that the cop will be arraigned in court.
Today, the officer was later identified as Masinde Baraza. Together with his colleague Duncan Kiprono, the two are believed to be based at Nairobi's Kileleshwa Police Station, where they were deployed from during the ugly scenes witnessed yesterday.
The two were caught on camera in a confrontation with Kariuki, the mask hawker, which resulted in Baraza shooting him.
The officers are currently being held at the Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi while awaiting arraignment in court. Their current ranks are yet to be released.
Meanwhile, the shot victim is currently recuperating at the Kenyatta National Hospital following a surgical procedure that he was supposed to undergo. Preliminary reports indicate that the victim was shot using a rubber bullet, causing damage to the upper part of his body, in particular the head.
