A mask vendor is carried after he was shot dead by a police officer during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, June 17, 2025. /DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has urged police to exercise restraint while managing protests, warning that excessive force could escalate already fragile situations and result in avoidable deaths and injuries.
Her remarks came as Nairobi reeled from the aftermath of Tuesday’s chaotic demonstrations, during which a police officer was caught on video shooting a face mask vendor on Moi Avenue.
The clip has since gone viral, sparking outrage across the country.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly shortly after the incident made headlines, Millie said preliminary information indicated that the victim hails from Suba in Homa Bay county.
“The police need to restrain themselves. That young man was selling masks because people were demonstrating,” she said.
“I’ve watched the clip. It’s completely reckless and irresponsible what that officer did.”
The MP criticised what she described as "trigger-happy" officers, saying such actions undermine ongoing efforts to end extrajudicial killings and damage the reputation of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
She also expressed frustration over a string of high-profile deaths affecting her constituency.
“What do I tell the people of Suba, seriously?” she asked.
“I don't know if he’s from Suba South or Suba North — but either way, he’s from Suba, and from Homa Bay. In Homa Bay, we’re tired of mourning. We’re dying of unnatural causes.
“Let us die of natural causes — please. Ong’ondo Were, Ojwang’, all of us are being killed. Who will remain in Homa Bay?” she posed.
Her comments follow the April 30 murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, who was trailed and shot dead near the City Mortuary roundabout by a lone gunman on a motorbike.
The case remains under investigation.
Barely six weeks later, on June 8, Homa Bay blogger and Voi-based teacher Albert Ojwang’ died in police custody, hours after being picked up from his rural home and transported over 400 kilometres to Nairobi’s Central police station.
Ojwang’ had reportedly posted content online that Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat considered defamatory.
In court, a cell sentry arrested over the incident claimed that several inmates were paid and given alcohol to “discipline” Ojwang’ — who later died from his injuries.
Central police station OCS Samson Talam is currently in custody alongside the cellmates and the junior officer.
Lagat stepped aside on Monday to allow for impartial investigations.
On Tuesday, protesters filled the streets of Nairobi demanding accountability for Ojwang’s death and an end to police brutality.
It was during the demonstrations that the mask vendor was shot at close range — the officer seen walking away, seemingly unfazed.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) said the officer had since been arrested on the instructions of the Inspector Generalof Police Douglas Kanja.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the victim - who was intially presumed dead - had been taken to hospital and was receiving medical attention.
He further revealed that investigations have commenced to identify individuals he described as " goons armed with crude weapons" who infiltrated the demonstrations.
"The service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings. Such individuals will be handled firmly, in accordance with the law," he said.
