Outrage at Kenya police tactics

Police in Kisumu, Nairobi
Kisumu in west Kenya is one of the key flashpoints

Shots leave man dead

As Kenya's opposition protests enter a third day, people are increasingly questioning the actions of the police, who are accused of shooting dead protesters.

The killings have sparked outrage across the country.

On Thursday, human rights activist Okia Omtata chained himself to the barriers of the Nairobi police headquarters and, as bystanders watched, clutched a rosary chanting: "You are killing people in this country. That is wrong.

"The sanctity of life must be protected."

He was soon arrested.

Earlier, television footage had suggested a policeman in Kisumu may have shot dead in cold blood an unarmed man taking part in opposition protests against last month's disputed elections.

The protester was making faces at the anti-riot unit when an officer approached him, armed with a rifle.


I am convinced among [the police] there are those who do not approve of what is happening
Onyango Oloo,
human rights activist

The young man fell down and the policeman is shown kicking the prostrate man in the back.

Within minutes, bullets were fired at close range. The protester was later pronounced dead.

In defence, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe insists officers are well aware that they are dealing with innocent people being "used by politicians".

"Some are drunk on alcohol and others are high on drugs and it is obvious they are innocent, so we are not using excessive force to disperse them," he said.

The police chief in Kisumu said officers had disobeyed orders to only use tear gas and truncheons and were investigating the incident.