Jamaican dancehall artist Konshens has spoken out forcefully against police brutality in Kenya, after a video emerged showing a police officer firing at an unarmed man during a peaceful protest.
The clip, filmed in Nairobi , shows 28-year-old Boniface Kariuki being shot in the head at close range with what appears to be a tear gas launcher. He had been standing alone, unarmed, and not engaging with officers at the time of the shooting.
Konshens reposted the video to his Instagram, writing: “This is madness. How do you shoot unarmed people in the head in broad daylight? Africa is bleeding and the world is watching.”
The post quickly gained traction, with thousands of Kenyans and international fans thanking him for highlighting what many described as a rising pattern of state violence.
In a follow-up Instagram Story, Konshens added: “Protect your people. Not silence them. The whole world is watching.”
The video, first shared by independent Kenyan media and citizen journalists, sparked outrage across the country. Many described it as further proof of the heavy-handed tactics used by police to suppress youth-led demonstrations.
A Nation on Edge
The shooting of Kariuki came just days after another controversial incident—the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody. His death has led to protests in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, with demonstrators demanding answers and calling for top police officials to resign.
On Tuesday, Kenya’s Internal Affairs Unit confirmed that the officer seen shooting Kariuki had been arrested and would be investigated. A spokesperson said: “No one is above the law. Every action will be accounted for.”
Still, the response has not calmed tensions. Many feel that accountability is rare and slow, especially when it comes to security forces.
Human rights groups in Kenya, including the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), say police abuse cases have risen sharply in the past year. “The problem is systemic,” said IMLU director Peter Kiama. “Without deep reform, this will keep happening.”
Konshens Joins Growing Chorus
Konshens is not the first international artist to raise their voice. Fellow Jamaican musicians Popcaan, Etana, and Kabaka Pyramid have also posted in support of the Kenyan protesters, urging peace, justice, and dialogue.
Back in 2024, Konshens waved the Kenyan flag at a concert in Germany in solidarity with Gen Z activists opposing the Finance Bill. His connection with the country appears both personal and sustained.
His latest remarks have only deepened that bond.
“He may be Jamaican, but today Konshens is Kenyan,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “He sees us.”
As one protester in Nairobi put it: “We are not just fighting for Boniface. We are fighting for all of us. For the right to speak, live, and breathe without fear.”
And with global voices like Konshens watching, it seems harder than ever for the world to look away.
