Kenya: Police Officer Arrested After Shooting Unarmed Vendor at Close Range During Nairobi Protest

By Samuel Ouma

protests in Nairobi's Central Business District has been arrested and will be arraigned in court, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed.

The officer, whose identity was not disclosed, used an anti-riot shotgun to fire at the civilian during a tense protest on June 17, sparking public outrage and widespread condemnation from human rights groups and citizens.

The victim, a street mask vendor, was rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.

“The Inspector-General of the National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment in court of the involved officer,” read the statement signed by NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.

 “The said police officer has since been arrested.”

The shooting occurred during nationwide demonstrations demanding accountability for the killing of 31-year-old schoolteacher Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody earlier this month. Protesters called for the resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and other senior officials accused of covering up Ojwang’s death.

In its statement, the police service also acknowledged the presence of armed gangs within the protest scenes, referring to them as “goons armed with crude weapons.”

The NPS disassociated itself from the vigilante groups and assured the public that investigations were underway to apprehend and prosecute those involved in the violence.

“The Service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings. Such individuals will be handled firmly, according to the law,” Nyaga said.

However, critics, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), have accused the government of deploying vigilante groups in coordination with police to suppress the protests, a tactic they described as “informal repression.”

“The state deployed vigilante groups to maim protesters demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, following the gruesome murder of schoolteacher Albert Ojwang’,” said KHRC.