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Transcript/ScriptKENYA PROTESTS BOXER KILLED (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Community Memorializes Kenyan Boxer Killed in Protests
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 7/20/23 at 2pm
BYLINE: Francis Ontomwa
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Nairobi, Kenya
VIDEOGRAPHER: Amos Wangwa
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Schearf,
SCRIPT EDITORS: Schearf, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original, see courtesy
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:51
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) Clashes between Kenya's opposition-led anti-tax protesters and police this month have left scores dead, including a prominent boxer who was shot earlier this month in Nairobi. Kenya's boxing fraternity organized an exhibition bout to honor 35-year-old Raphael Shigali, who was the capital’s reigning Bantamweight champion. Francis Ontomwa reports from Nairobi, Kenya.
((NARRATOR))
Cheers and joy as Kenyan boxers in Nairobi’s Eastlands neighborhood square off in the ring, but also emotional pain and anger.
This exhibition match was held to honor boxer and
((Mandatory courtesy: Judy Wanjiku))
coach Raphael Shigali, who Kenyan media reported was killed by police gunfire during July 12 anti-tax protests on a street he grew up.
The community, called Jericho, and the local boxing federation are raising funds to bury Shigali, who was Nairobi’s reigning Bantamweight champion.
((Radio track: Moses Shillisia is a Nairobi boxing coach. He said “Raph (Raphael) was easy and amiable to everyone; he would pass by the streets and exchange pleasantries with everyone. We value him because he made a name through boxing and went ahead to become a national champion, becoming even more famous across the country.”
))
(((Moses Shillisia, Boxing Coach, (Swahili, 19 secs))
“Raph (Raphael) was easy and amiable to everyone; he would pass by the streets and exchange pleasantries with everyone. We value him because he made a name through boxing and went ahead to become a national champion, becoming even more famous across the country.”
((NARRATOR))
Married to Shigali for 13 years, Judy Wanjiku is left alone to care for their three children.
She says her husband was not taking part in the protests but simply walking home and running errands.
[[FOR RADIO: Wanjiku says “I was sitting in the house and the (sound of) gunshots were getting louder and louder. I called him at around 5:35 in the evening to check on his whereabouts. I begged him to come home.”]]
((Judy Wanjiku, Shigali’s Widow, (Swahili, ?? secs))
“I was sitting in the house and the (sound of) gunshots were getting louder and louder. I called him at around 5:35 in the evening to check on his whereabouts. I begged him to come home.”
((NARRATOR))
Shigali was credited by many for helping to popularize boxing in his community.
Wanjiku says she wants more than just his medals to remember him.
[[FOR RADIO: She says “All I want is justice, justice for Raph. Raph was killed by the bullet for no reason.”]]
((Judy Wanjiku, Shigali’s Widow, (Swahili, 9 secs))
“All I want is justice, justice for Raph. Raph was killed by the bullet for no reason.”
((NARRATOR))
Rights group Amnesty International says at least 18 people have been killed this month in clashes with police during opposition-led protests against the rising cost of living and tax hikes.
Rights groups blame Kenyan police for being quick to use live rounds during protests and have called for faster investigations into the deaths.
((Radio track: Hussein Khalid is an activist with the Kenya-based rights group Haki Africa, which means “Right” Africa in Swahili. Khalid says “It’s very unfortunate that we have lost a young man, who was very progressive, a man wo was working with other youth in the community to actually try and alleviate the suffering of many and to see that he has lost his life in this manner is really, really unfortunate. The case of police using excessive force, unfortunately again, is something that has been very persistent in Kenya.”
))
((Hussein Khalid, Haki Africa, (English, ?? secs))
“It’s very unfortunate that we have lost a young man, who was very progressive, a man wo was working with other youth in the community to actually try and alleviate the suffering of many and to see that he has lost his life in this manner is really, really unfortunate. The case of police using excessive force, unfortunately again, is something that has been very persistent in Kenya.”
((NARRATOR))
Kenya’s police spokesman declined to comment on the killings, including Shigali’s, except to say the matter was under investigation.
But with few prosecutions of Kenyan police, the odds are against Shigali’s widow seeing justice.
And with both the government and opposition so far unwilling to back down, Wanjiku’s children are unlikely to be the last to be left without a father.
((Francis Ontomwa, for VOA News, Nairobi.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Nairobi
Embargo DateJuly 20, 2023 15:54 EDT
Byline
Francis Ontomwa, for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
