Police Open Fire On Nairobi Protesters in OCS Ouster Bid [VIDEO]

An officer along Kangundo Road during protests on Wednesday, August 20, 2020.
An officer along Kangundo Road during protests on Wednesday, August 20, 2020.
Twitter

Police in Nairobi area were forced to open fire on Wednesday, August 19, in an attempt to disperse a group of protesters.

In a video that surfaced online on Thursday, August 20, the police are seen firing teargas at protesters who lit bonfires along a road in Kamulu.

The video captured police officers engaging in running battles with the demonstrators while gunshots are heard in the background.

The demonstrators claimed that insecurity had become rampant in the area and demanded that a police officer commanding station (OCS) be transferred.

Bonfires lit along Kangundo road during protests on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Bonfires lit along a highway during protests
Kenyans.co.ke

"We do not want him (OSC) here anymore. We want the Kamulu OCS to be transfered," decried the residents.

In the clip, a man carrying a gun while dressed in civilian clothes, presumed to be a police officer, is seen trying to clear stones from the road.

A number of protesters could also be seen being bundled in a police van after being arrested for participating in the demonstrations.

A report by Citizen TV indicated that the chaos was sparked after two sects clashed over sand selling territories.

One group reportedly retaliated after three of their members were injured by the rival group attracting the wrath of police officers.

The protests that erupted led to the closure of Kangundo road for two hours.

"I am a businesswoman in this area and we have had trouble with the sand collectors for a very long time. We have tried to appeal to the state to help us but our cries fell on deaf ears," stated one protester who accused police officers of pocketing bribes from some of the youth.

“We shall investigate what was the cause of the unrest and ensure those behind the woes are arrested,” stated Kayole police station OCPD Isaac Thuranira regarding the incident.

Below is the video of the clash:

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