Man beaten up by police becomes instant celebrity – PHOTOS
The victim in the video of police brutality that has gone viral on social media has acquired a new celebrity status among his friends and neighbours.
The 36-year-old Boniface Manono has become the poster boy of the anti-IEBC demonstrations, with local and international media running footage of him being chased and kicked while lying on the ground motionless by at least three police officers.
The footage immediately drew widespread condemnation on excessive use of force by the police to disperse the protesters.
Although he claims he was from returning from a personal engagement in Westlands when he ran into the protesters on University Way, pictures circulating on social media show him to be among the protesters.
On Tuesday afternoon when his whereabouts became public, he rose to become the most sought after man by local media and a martyr of sorts among friends and neighbours.
Mr Manono made the public appearance outside Coptic hospital to dispel reports that he had died as a result of the injuries. He said a well-wisher had taken him to the hospital for treatment.
Moments after his TV interview went on air, he was swarmed by excited Nairobians who wanted a piece of him.
Pictures have also emerged of crowds of friends and neighbours eager to take selfies with him. He has also been hosted on live interviews by KTN and radio Maisha.
On Twitter, his name has been mentioned at least 1,975 times, making him a top trending topic. His memes are also out.
The journalists came … found the stone rolled away from the tomb, Boniface Manono had risen pic.twitter.com/HZ4c8MAOf2
— Droid (@droid254) May 18, 2016
Uber : Your driver was boniface manono …. How do you rate your ride? pic.twitter.com/xuhOYrWOEi
— Droid (@droid254) May 18, 2016