Human rights activist and Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid has called for a full investigation into the death of 21-year-old Eric Muiruri Njoki, who was allegedly shot by police officers in Githurai 44, Nairobi County.
According to Eric’s family, the young man was working as a bouncer at a popular club in the area.
On Sunday, August 9, at about 8 p.m., he reportedly got into a disagreement with his manager. The manager is said to have contacted police officers, who later arrived at the club to arrest him.
Witnesses claim that Eric did not resist the officers. Instead, they say he knelt down to surrender. Despite this, he was allegedly shot three times in the chest, killing him at the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting have raised serious questions among his family, friends and members of the local community. The family maintains that Eric was unarmed and did not pose a threat to the officers when he was shot.
Eric’s mother has identified the officers allegedly involved as “Stevo” and “Deno,” who she said are attached to Githurai 44 Police Station in Kimbo. She also made further allegations against the officers, claiming that she was assaulted following the incident and that there were attempts to portray her son in a negative way.
The family has rejected any suggestion that Eric deserved to be killed, saying his death was an unnecessary use of force. They are now demanding that the officers linked to the shooting be arrested and prosecuted if investigations establish that they were responsible for the killing.
Khalid has condemned the incident, describing it as another case of death through police shooting. He called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those found responsible face the law.
The activist also stressed the need for accountability in cases involving the use of lethal force by police officers. The family wants the investigation to be independent, saying this would help establish what happened and reduce the possibility of a cover-up.
Eric’s death has also caused anger within Githurai, where community members have joined his relatives in mourning. Those who knew him have described him as a hardworking young man who was trying to earn a living before his life was suddenly cut short.
The incident comes amid continued concerns over allegations of police brutality and the use of excessive force in Kenya. Human rights organisations and activists have repeatedly called for stronger accountability measures and proper investigations whenever officers are accused of using unlawful force.
For Eric’s family, the immediate concern is getting answers about what happened on Sunday night. They want the officers involved identified through a formal investigation and held accountable if the allegations are proven.
The family is also calling for justice for Eric, saying that his death should not be forgotten without a clear explanation of how and why he was shot.
