Kenyans on online platforms have called in the National Police Service (NPS) to identify the officer and take action.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is exploring new avenues to launch legal action against police officers committing excesses during protests including considering filing a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Section of Kenyans also wondered why the police were using live ammunition on the protesters who stated that they were peaceful during the Thursday exercise.
Speaking during a Twitter space on Saturday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo stated that the Society, alongside other civil societies has been collecting information on brutality meted on Kenyans.
Police are yet to speak over the matter. However, in an earlier statement, Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja noted that the police were only deployed to ensure that the protesters do not occupy state institutions such as Parliament.
The teams will then evaluate the data and assess whether it meets the threshold to build a watertight case to be filed at the Hague-based court.
The concerns comes weeks after a protester in his late 20s succumbed to injuries after an alleged police shooting incident within the Central Business District (CBD).
"We have been working with various civil society organizations, the question is the threshold and that is why we are collecting information and data as we analyze what tangible information can be presented," Odhiambo stated.
According to reports, the protester identified as Rex Masai, was shot dead during an incident that was caught on camera at night.
"It is normally out of the threshold that we will establish whether the International Criminal Court of Justice can take up the matter," she added.
The LSK boss further noted that they have called on international organizations to monitor and investigate atrocities meted out against Kenyans who have been staging protests.
In the incident, a plain-clothed officer was filmed firing at the protesters at around 7 pm as police moved to contain the protests.
The society urged Kenyans to report cases of unlawful detainment or abduction during the peaceful protests, through toll-free number 0800 720 434.
Some of the protesters who took the injured protester to a medical facility revealed that he was confirmed dead at the facility within the CBD.
LSK while launching the appeal, stated that the information can be in the form of videos, and photos.
Preliminary examination by the doctors indicates that the protester was hit with a bullet in the thighs.
The International Criminal Court of Justice has a special rapporteur unit to carry out and investigate atrocities and monitor situations during moments of political instability. As such, the society has called on the international investigators to fast track investigations into the situation in Kenya.
At the time of publication, Masai's mother had already been contacted and informed of the shooting.
This comes after opposition coalition Azimio on Friday, 28th June 2024 also threatened to take the perpetrators of such crimes to the ICC.
Consequently, given that it is an alleged homicide, the body was moved to the City Mortuary with a postmortem scheduled to take place within the week.
Speaking during a press briefing, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated that it was unacceptable that protestors were not being allowed to exercise their democratic right to picket.
"I have met with Rex’s mum, and we are on our way to City Mortuary. Since it’s a homicide, the police have said the body has to be booked in a public mortuary.
"We are going to document every case perhaps even revisit the international criminal court and talk to them about atrocities committed against Kenyan people."
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