National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has condemned the police shooting of a mask hawker in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), terming the incident as unacceptable and a gross violation of human rights.

The shooting, which occurred on June 17, 2025 during protests calling for justice for teacher Albert Ojwang’, has sparked national outrage, particularly among the youth-led protest movements sweeping across major towns.

While addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Ichung’wah called for accountability and professionalism within the National Police Service, emphasizing the need for restraint during crowd control operations.

“The Police Service must conduct itself with utmost restraint. I strongly condemn the barbaric and fatal shooting of a bystander at Nairobi’s Central Business District,” Ichung’wah said, urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to fast-track investigations into the incident.

However, the Kikuyu MP also struck a cautionary tone regarding ongoing demonstrations, particularly those led by members of Generation Z.

While acknowledging their constitutional right to protest, Ichung’wa warned against acts that may provoke the police or escalate tensions.

“Let us also be honest with ourselves,” he stated. “Some of these young people are intentionally provoking the police, while that does not justify any unlawful use of force, we must urge demonstrators to exercise responsibility and avoid confrontations.”

Ichung’wah’s remarks come amid growing calls for police reform and accountability, especially following recent high-profile incidents involving the use of excessive force.

Civil society groups and human rights defenders also continue to pressure authorities to ensure justice for victims of police brutality and to uphold the right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in the Constitution.