Police Officer Arrested After Shooting Unarmed Vendor During Nairobi Protests

A police officer who shot and injured an unarmed street vendor during anti-government protests on Moi Avenue in Nairobi has been arrested, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed on Tuesday.

The shooting, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, shows the officer firing an anti-riot shotgun, hitting the vendor in the head at close range. The victim, who was not part of any confrontation and posed no threat, was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital and is currently receiving treatment.

In a statement issued by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the NPS acknowledged the incident and confirmed that the officer had been taken into custody on the orders of Inspector General Japhet Koome.

“Following this incident, the Inspector General of the National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment of the officer involved. The said officer has since been arrested,” Nyaga stated.

The statement also addressed rising tensions during the protests, pointing to what police described as infiltration by “goons armed with crude weapons.”

“The service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings. These individuals will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law. Investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those involved,” Nyaga added.

However, the shooting has sparked a fresh wave of public outrage, with many Kenyans condemning the excessive use of force and calling for broader police reforms. Civil society groups and human rights defenders have renewed their demands for accountability, urging authorities to ensure justice for all victims of police brutality.

The incident has further intensified scrutiny of the police’s handling of the protests, as anger over state violence continues to build across the country.