The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed the arrest of the police officer who shot an unarmed hawker at close range along Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Monday, June 17.
The disturbing incident, captured on video and widely shared online, shows the officer firing an anti-riot shotgun at the hawker during a peaceful protest.
According to an official statement from NPS Spokesperson Muchi Nyaga, the officer has since been taken into custody and is expected to be arraigned in court.
“The Inspector-General directed immediate arrest and arraignment of the involved officer. The victim was rushed to hospital and is receiving medical attention,” the statement reads.
The shooting has sparked nationwide outrage, adding to growing calls for accountability within the police service. The incident comes just a week after the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang’, a teacher and activist who died while in police custody at Nairobi Central Police Station.
Ojwang’ had been arrested from his home in Homa Bay and later died under unclear circumstances. Despite a public outcry and witness reports linking senior officers to his alleged torture, no arrests have been made.
National Police Service Statement
Family lawyer Julius Juma says the family feels unsafe and exposed. He has since called for enhanced state protection and raised concerns over interference with investigations. “We don’t really know who we are dealing with. The evidence must be preserved, and investigations must be independent,” he said.
Sources now allege that key investigative institutions—including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and even senior National Police Service officials—have attempted to downplay Ojwang’s case by distancing Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat from the matter, despite internal reports suggesting otherwise.
With mounting pressure from civil society, victims’ families, and political leaders, Kenyans are demanding action—not statements. Both cases are now seen as a litmus test for the government’s willingness to tackle police excesses and restore public confidence in the justice system.
