Bullet in Broad Daylight: How Cameras, Courage and OSINT Are Unmasking Kenya’s Police Brutality

A police officer shot a face mask vendor in Nairobi, with the incident captured on social media, sparking outrage and renewed scrutiny over police brutality in Kenya. The shooting occurred just before the anniversary of protests against tax hikes that previously pressured the government. Emerging tools like Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) are being used by citizens to identify state actors and hold them accountable, highlighting the impact of digital evidence in the ongoing fight for transparency and justice.

In Nairobi, on June 17, 2025, tragedy struck when a police officer shot a street vendor selling face masks during a tense protest. This shocking event unfolded just before dusk and was captured not only on TikTok but also on multiple smartphones. The victim, who had been unarmed and positioned near a shuttered stall, was confronted by two officers before the gunfire erupted. A horrified bystander exclaimed, “He’s shot him in the head!” as the officers walked away from the chaos, seemingly unfazed.

This brutal act, circulated widely on social media, comes just ahead of the June 25 anniversary of the previous year’s significant protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, which had compelled President William Ruto to backtrack on tax increases. This latest episode has sparked renewed debate about police violence in Kenya, a country already facing criticism as a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

Days after the incident, it is the unfiltered violence catching the public’s attention. While the shooter wore a mask during the act, earlier footage has surfaced showing him unmasked. This contradiction forms the basis of a growing movement using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to identify individuals who exploit their positions of power unchallenged. Armed with smartphones and analytical skills, advocates have begun to piece together the moments leading to the shooting and recognize the perpetrator’s identity.

OSINT has not only emerged as a tool for journalists but also for everyday citizens eager to reclaim agency. For instance, the recent protests in April saw the BBC Africa Eye use OSINT techniques to scrutinize over 5,000 videos related to police actions during the Finance Bill protests, revealing a narrative often silenced by the state. Furthermore, this investigative approach has been utilized in various contexts, including tracking a private jet used by President Ruto during a diplomatic trip, thanks to online aircraft tracking technologies.

In an age where transparency is increasingly under threat, open-source investigators continue to illuminate the dark corners of accountability. Their courage and tenacity embody a new movement where the camera, while not an immediate deterrent to violence, provides a retrospective lens through which truth can emerge. As the need for such scrutiny grows, the masked gunman in Nairobi has inadvertently become a focal point in a nationwide conversation regarding police brutality and state accountability.

As articulated by Fazla Rabbi in his work ‘Unmasking the Invisible’, OSINT necessitates only three essential elements: a laptop, an attentive mind, and the brave belief that in the chaos of the digital world, the truth can be unveiled. Now, that pursuit for truth draws a direct line to a man with a gun, targeting the heart of police impunity in Kenya.

The recent police shooting of a face mask vendor in Nairobi, captured on social media, has reignited discussions surrounding police brutality in Kenya. As the nation reflects on its struggles for accountability, the role of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) in identifying state actors has become more prominent. While the Kenyan government previously faced scrutiny for its actions, this incident, occurring just before significant protest anniversaries, marks a potentially pivotal moment. Such instances illustrate the power of technology in advocating for justice and transparency.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke