Saturday, July 8, 2023 –A disturbing photo showing police officer land a hand baton on an elderly woman during the Friday Azimio la Umoja protests has elicited uproar.
The photo captured during the Saba Saba day showed the mother carrying her tools of trade on her head harmlessly only for the police officer to start harassing her as she scampered for her safety.
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Though by Friday evening, no body had talked about the lady, it would later emerge that she comes from Kisii area where she struggles with life a lot.
“The woman in this photo comes from Suneka. She is mentally unstable,” a well-versed source familiar with the lady told sections of the media.
The woman who recently lost her son had sunk into depression after it reportedly emerged that he might have been killed for unknown reasons.
“Her son died mysteriously days ago, alleged to have died by suicide while some claimed he was murdered,” the source stated.
Music Copyright Society of Kenya MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua joined the rest of the country in calling out the law enforcers for their unbecoming conduct.
“Even in the time of war women and children are protected. The officer could have helped Mama cross the road and lead her to safety. Taking pleasure in brandishing that rungu on her is proof that we are a sick society,” he stated.
Edward Mugo, however, differed saying the police was only moving her away from the clashes and not beating her up.
“Stop reading too much from this photo. He was hurrying her along and did not hit her. Have some respect for the gentleman and those bars on his shoulder,” Edward responded.
Meanwhile, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka expressed concerns on how the police used extra force to quell demonstrations in his area.
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Mr. Onyonka claimed that, though, the protests started on well, this lost logic when it degenerated into fully-fledged clashes between the police and the locals.
He has since asked authorities to start investigating those who misbehaved during the Azimio Saba Saba demos that took place countrywide.
Azimio has also announced Wednesdays as their day of pouring on the streets against the high cost of living.