Truth Behind Viral Photo of Protester Tackling Police During Demos

A photo collage of a protester tackling police to the ground during protests in Chile in 2019.
A photo collage of a protester tackling police to the ground during protests in Chile in 2019.
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A photo of a protester tackling a police officer in wrestling style during a demonstration went viral on Wednesday, March 22, with allegations that the incident happened in Kenya.

Various social media reports claimed that the incident took place in Nairobi's Kibera estate during the Monday, March 20 demonstrations held by Azimio supporters.

However, a search by Kenyans.co.ke, established that the claims were not factual as the incident happened in Chile.

Through reverse search, it was established that the photo was taken in 2019 during the protests that were held in the South American country over the high cost of living.

A photo of a protester lifting a police officer from the ground during in Chile in 2019.
A photo of a protester lifting a police officer from the ground during in Chile in 2019.
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The photo was also captured outside a China Bazaar shop which is located in parts of Santiago- the capital city of Chile.

In the viral photo, the officer was captured approaching the protestor with a baton before attempting to hit the protester. 

The man dodged the baton and launched his tackle against the officer putting him to the ground.

A closer look into other angles of the photo also showed that there were other protesters in the background who were of fair skin colour. 

The protester who tackled the officer was also light-skinned.

Online users had claimed that the incident happened in Kenya owing to the officer's uniform - jungle green that had some semblance with that of Kenya Police.

However, it was noted that police in Kenya wear camouflaged green uniforms instead of plain jungle green.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga led protests against the government in Nairobi over the high cost of living and the 2022 General Election.

The opposition announced that the demos will take place twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.

The windscreen of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bulletproof car (left) and the ODM boss addressing his supporters on March 20, 2023.
The windscreen of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bulletproof car (left) and the ODM boss addressing his supporters on March 20, 2023.
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Prof Makau Mutua/ Azimio TV