'They aimed to kill' - BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters

On June 25, 2024, a significant protest took place outside the Kenyan parliament, where many citizens gathered to oppose a controversial finance bill that included new tax increases. The BBC has conducted an investigation and identified members of the security forces who shot and killed unarmed protesters during this event. The analysis involved reviewing over 5,000 images and videos from the day, revealing that the individuals who lost their lives were not posing any threat. The Kenyan constitution protects the right to peaceful protest, and the tragic deaths of these individuals sparked widespread outrage among the public. Despite a parliamentary committee's request for an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), no report has been released, and no one has been held accountable for the killings. The BBC World Service team meticulously examined footage and photographs taken by both protesters and journalists, determining the timeline of events using camera metadata and visible public clocks. They even created a 3D model of the parliament to trace the shots back to the rifles of a police officer and a soldier. The protest, which was organized primarily by young people using social media, began early in the morning and was the third large-scale demonstration against the finance bill since its introduction on May 9. Activist Boniface Mwangi described the atmosphere as a 'beautiful party,' with young people bringing music and refreshments, creating a festive environment. This protest, dubbed the Gen Z protest, united Kenyans from various backgrounds in their opposition to the proposed tax increases. As the day progressed, the number of protesters swelled, and by 1 PM, over 100,000 people were on the streets of Nairobi. Initially, the police attempted to control the crowd with tear gas and water cannons, but the protesters remained determined to reach the parliament. As the MPs entered the chamber for the final vote on the finance bill, the protesters pushed back against the police barricades. At 2:14 PM, the finance bill was passed with 195 votes in favor and 106 against, prompting opposition MPs to leave the chamber in protest. Word quickly spread to the crowd outside, igniting their determination to breach the police lines. By 2:20 PM, protesters managed to break through and reached the parliamentary grounds, where they began tearing down fences and setting a police truck on fire. However, the incursion was short-lived as security forces quickly moved to clear the area. During this chaotic scene, a plain-clothed police officer was recorded shouting 'uaa,' which means 'kill' in Swahili, just before gunfire erupted. Tragically, seven protesters were shot, including David Chege, a 39-year-old software engineer, and Ericsson Mutisya, a 25-year-old butcher, both of whom died from their injuries. The BBC's investigation identified the officer responsible for the fatal shots as John Kaboi, who has not faced any consequences for his actions. The killings did not deter the protesters; instead, they galvanized them to continue their fight for justice. By 2:57 PM, protesters managed to enter the parliament grounds again, raising their hands in solidarity and holding placards. However, chaos ensued as shots were fired once more, resulting in additional casualties, including 27-year-old finance student Eric Shieni, who was shot in the head while leaving the grounds. The BBC's analysis confirmed that he was also unarmed at the time of his death. The Kenyan Defence Forces stated that they had not received any requests for investigations into their personnel involved in the operations at parliament. As the sun set on that fateful day, the nation was left in shock, with reports indicating that 39 people had died and 361 had been injured in protests across the country. The president eventually announced the withdrawal of the finance bill, acknowledging the people's demands. However, the lack of accountability for the security forces involved in the shootings remains a pressing issue, leaving many Kenyans seeking justice for the lives lost during the protests.