Police officers in Kenya have been posing as journalists, civilians, traders, and protesters during demonstrations among many other guises to capture rioters unaware and arrest them.
This has happened during the ongoing three-day demonstrations taking place in Kenya. The protests which were called for by the opposition are set to come to a close on Friday, July 20th.
1. Police officer posing as a local trader
In a video captured on Wednesday, July 19th, a police officer dressed as a hardware worker arrested a man along Moi Avenue who was protesting.
Before the arrest, the protester is captured saying “President Ruto if you fail to listen to us, at the end of the day you will have more to lose. We will shift camp and support Raila.”
Just before finishing his statement, a police officer dressed in a dustcoat normally associated with hardware workers, dragged him away.
2. Police officers posing as professionals, e.g. journalists
A video of a police officer pretending to be a journalist before pouncing on a protestor has gone viral.
In a video shared by Africa Uncensored, a young man who was aggrieved after the police targeted his daughter, expressed his anger and was whisked away by a man who was among the people covering the demonstrations.
The incident has been criticised, with media practitioners pointing that this could put the lives of reporters covering the protests in danger.
The Media Council of Kenya has also released a statement condemning the police officer’s actions noting that his actions endangered the lives of journalists.
3. Police officers posing as protesters
Police officers have also been camouflaging as protestors, with some images online showing some throwing stones before pouncing on unsuspecting protestors.
In most cases, when protestors meet on the streets, they don't really know each other well, giving plain-clothed officers a chance to arrest them in the heat of the moment.
4. Police officers posing as onlookers
The last trick that has been documented online includes police officers pretending to be onlookers, before picking protestors engaging uniformed police.
Most protestors look out for police in uniform.
