Brutality in Broad Daylight: Victim of ‘Nane Nane’ Police Violence Shares Painful Story
A week after the ‘Nane Nane’ protests, the scars of police brutality are still fresh for Roy Mwaniki, a 27-year-old resident of Syokimau in Machakos County. Mwaniki, who was caught up in the chaotic aftermath of the protests, has come forward to recount the horrific assault he endured at the hands of anti-riot police officers.
Mwaniki had been going about his day in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) when, out of nowhere, police officers pounced on him and his cousin. Captured in a shocking video, Mwaniki is seen crawling and bleeding profusely after being ruthlessly beaten by the police. Thanks to the swift intervention of journalists covering the protests, he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors treated multiple injuries to his eye, mouth, arm, and shoulders.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Mwaniki vividly remembers the moment his life changed. “Nilikuwa natoka job na cuzo kama kawaida, kufika Moi Avenue opposite Sports House kuna polisi waliturukia na marungu,” he said, describing how he was ambushed by officers wielding batons. A forceful blow to the right side of his face left him unconscious, and when he regained awareness, he was in excruciating pain.
The attack has left Mwaniki with severe physical and emotional trauma. He lost four teeth, making it impossible to eat solid food, and now survives on a liquid diet. His vision remains blurred due to a possible eye socket fracture, and he faces the prospect of corrective surgery. “Siwezi umma… saa hii nasurvive on things like yogurt,” Mwaniki lamented.
The brutality Mwaniki suffered is not an isolated incident. Many Kenyans have faced similar violence from law enforcement, not just during protests but in everyday encounters. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is currently investigating numerous cases of police misconduct, yet for victims like Mwaniki, justice seems distant.
As he struggles with the aftermath, Mwaniki’s story stands as a grim reminder of the unchecked police violence that continues to plague Kenya. His question echoes the sentiments of many: “Ni injustice viserious manze… sababu mimi hakuna kitu nilikuwa nimefanya… do you run from the police or to the police?”
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Brutality in Broad Daylight: Victim of ‘Nane Nane’ Police Violence Shares Painful Story
