Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called for an urgent overhaul of police training following the shooting of a hawker during peaceful justice for Ojwang protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In her statement shared on social media on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Passaris condemned the shooting, describing it as part of a wider pattern of systemic failure within the National Police Service.
“Another Kenyan, a mask vendor shot in cold blood. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable. What we’re witnessing is not just isolated brutality; it is the result of systemic failure: poor recruitment standards, inadequate training, mental burnout, and a culture of impunity,” she said.
The lawmaker noted that the shooting was not an isolated act of brutality but rather a symptom of deep-rooted institutional issues such as poor recruitment standards, inadequate training, mental health neglect, and an entrenched culture of impunity.
Passaris stressed the urgent need to reevaluate the criteria used to admit individuals into the police force, insisting that entry standards must prioritise integrity, emotional intelligence, and a clear understanding of human rights.
She advocated for increased investment in psychosocial support systems for officers to help them cope with the stresses of the job and prevent instances where burnout or mental health breakdowns lead to tragic outcomes.
Passaris further called for the introduction of mandatory body-worn cameras for all officers, a move she believes will not only increase transparency but also protect both the public and officers from false accusations and abuse of power.
In addition, she pushed for the transformation of the police service into one grounded in professionalism, respect for human dignity, and public accountability.
“It is time we review the entry criteria, invest in psychosocial support for our officers, implement mandatory body cameras, and build a police service grounded in professionalism, dignity, and accountability,” she said.
“I mourn with the family of the vendor, just as I mourn for Albert Ojwang and so many others. But mourning is not enough. Prayers are not enough. It’s time to act. We must adequately expand and fund the police service training academy.”
Ojwang’s death
The shooting comes exactly two weeks after the suspicious death of 31-year-old teacher and independent blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Ojwang, a resident of Homa Bay County, was arrested on June 6 in Nairobi, reportedly for publishing content viewed as defamatory toward Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. Two days later, on June 8, he was found unconscious inside a cell at Nairobi’s Central Police Station and later pronounced dead.
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Police initially claimed Ojwang had taken his own life by hitting his head against a cell wall. However, a postmortem report revealed signs of blunt force trauma, neck compression, and other injuries consistent with a violent assault. A viral photo of his battered body only added to the public’s anger.
President William Ruto finally spoke out on June 11, acknowledging that Ojwang had died at the hands of the police. Inspector General Japhet Koome apologised publicly, and Deputy IG Lagat voluntarily stepped aside to allow for investigations.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched a formal probe.
As part of the investigations, Constable James Mukhwana and Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talam were arrested, along with a technician accused of tampering with CCTV footage.
According to leaked statements, Mukhwana claimed he assaulted Ojwang on orders from Talam, who was acting under instructions from DIG Lagat. Mukhwana has since requested witness protection, citing threats to his life.
The case has sparked outrage across the country. Peaceful protests under the banner Justice for Ojwang have been held in Nairobi, Mombasa, and other towns, demanding justice and police reforms.
However, the protests turned violent on Tuesday, June 17, when riot police clashed with demonstrators in Nairobi. In the chaos, a hawker selling masks was shot and killed, intensifying public anger.
