Anti-riot police on Tuesday opened fire, killing a man reported to be a hawker at Nairobi’s Imenti House along Moi Avenue during the ongoing demonstrations demanding justice for Albert Ojwang’, who died while in police custody.

Graphic images show two masked policemen approaching the man, engaging in a scuffle with him, after which one of the officers is seen pulling the trigger at close range, ending his life as other protesters watched in shock.

The incident, which has since spread across social media platforms, has evoked public criticism, with Kenyans questioning the role of the police force during protests.

“This is close range. You’re just required to arrest the protesters if you believe they’re in the wrong — why shoot young people in the streets?” Sabatia Member of Parliament posed, condemning the brutal act.

“This is life in Kenya in 2025. We are murdered in cold blood. Our lives don’t matter. They are meaningless,” an enraged Kenyan posted on X. Another user wrote, “Goons walking around with weapons aren’t getting killed, but an unarmed man gets shot in broad daylight.”

Earlier, the protests kicked off with intensity after mobilized goons clashed with peaceful demonstrators along Nairobi’s major streets.