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One dead, Outer Ring Road blocked again as Kiamaiko protests over missing man enter second day
A section of Outer Ring Road in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- One person dead and scores injured during violent clashes between the protesters and the police on Friday.
- Missing man was allegedly bundled into a vehicle without number plates by unknown men on the evening of June 23.
For the second consecutive day, traffic on Outer Ring Road in Nairobi ground to a halt as residents of Kiamaiko returned to the streets to demand answers over a man's disappearance.
This came a day after protests left one person dead and scores injured during violent clashes between the protesters and the police on Friday.
The demonstrations erupted over the disappearance of Abdulaziz Duba Molo, popularly known as Zizou, whom residents claim was bundled into a vehicle without number plates by unknown men on the evening of June 23 and has not been seen since.
The protests quickly escalated into running battles between police and demonstrators in Kiamaiko and Huruma, with youths barricading major roads linking Outer Ring Road, Juja Road, and Mathare using stones and burning tyres.
As police attempted to disperse the crowds, one person was shot dead while another sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital for specialised treatment.
Commuters and motorists stranded
On Saturday, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud confirmed that detectives had opened a missing person inquiry, adding that police were working to establish Abdulaziz's whereabouts while restoring order in the area.
"There is a reported missing person and the DCI have opened a file. There were inconveniences to motorists but our officers have restored movement along the road. We are working hard with the family to establish his whereabouts and ensure normalcy returns," he said.
The unrest brought transport to a standstill for several hours, leaving hundreds of commuters and motorists stranded. Criminal gangs also infiltrated the demonstrations, attacking motorists and pedestrians in broad daylight.
One motorist suffered deep cuts after he was attacked by suspected thugs during an attempted robbery.
"We were rushing to work when we were attacked. One of the thugs stabbed me in the arm before they stole our phones," the victim said.
Abducted by unknown men
Residents maintained that Mr Abdulaziz was neither presented before a court nor booked at any police station despite frantic searches by relatives.
"They took him from here on Tuesday, but we have not seen him since. Today is Friday, but he has not even been taken to court. We have gone to all the police stations but we cannot find him. Where is he?" said Ali Mureithi.
Another resident, Marion Wambui, claimed Abdulaziz was taken away by men driving a vehicle without registration plates.
"They took him away in a car without number plates. He sells meat here. If he committed an offence, why don't they take him to court? We just want to know where he is," she said.
Tension remained high as residents vowed to continue demonstrating until Abdulaziz is produced before a court or his whereabouts are made public.
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