A screengrab of the police officer who shot an unarmed mask vendor along Moi Avenue in Nairobi on June 17, 2025. Photo/courtesy
Nairobi, Kenya – June 18, 2025
The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed the arrest of a police officer who was filmed shooting a street vendor in Nairobi during nationwide protests over the suspicious death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, has sparked public outrage and intensified scrutiny of police conduct during demonstrations.
The shooting occurred on Moi Avenue on the afternoon of June 17, 2025, amid running battles between anti-riot police and protestors who had taken to the streets to demand justice for Ojwang. The 31-year-old blogger and schoolteacher was reported dead on June 8 after being detained by police officers in what human rights groups have labeled a case of “state-sanctioned torture.”
According to eyewitnesses and video footage, the victim — a hawker selling face masks — was unarmed and non-confrontational when a masked anti-riot officer approached and shot him in the head at point-blank range. The man collapsed on the pavement and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital in critical condition, where he underwent emergency neurosurgery.
In a swift response to the growing public outcry, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced that the officer responsible for the shooting had been arrested and would face prosecution.
“This conduct is unacceptable and inexcusable,” said police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga during a press briefing on Wednesday morning. “The officer has been identified, arrested, and is currently in custody. He will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are complete.”
Nyaga added that the Internal Affairs Unit of the police was conducting further investigations, not only into the officer directly involved but also into other individuals suspected of inciting or escalating violence during the protests.
Footage Sparks Anger and Demands for Broader Action
The video, which shows two officers in plain clothes cornering the vendor before one of them opens fire, has led to renewed calls for accountability within the police force. Activists and civil society organizations say the arrest is a step in the right direction, but far from enough.
Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), has demanded the immediate arrest of the second officer who was seen assaulting the vendor just moments before the fatal shot.
“Let’s be clear: this was not a case of an isolated officer acting alone. Both officers were involved. One shot, but the other facilitated the act,” Odhiambo said. “We expect the same swift action taken against the accomplice as well.”
Government Faces Pressure Amid Crisis of Confidence
The incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have accompanied protests against the government’s handling of civil liberties, policing, and freedom of expression. Human rights watchdogs have documented multiple cases of enforced disappearances and alleged torture of political activists over the past year.
President William Ruto, who rarely comments on police operations, acknowledged the gravity of recent events in a brief statement, promising that those responsible for human rights violations “would be held accountable.”
However, critics argue that repeated promises of reform remain unfulfilled. “We’ve heard this tune before. What we need is action — not just arrests, but convictions, policy changes, and a change in culture,” said Boniface Mwangi, a prominent activist and survivor of police brutality.
Vendor’s Identity Still Unconfirmed
As of Wednesday evening, the identity of the victim has not been officially released by authorities. Hospital sources indicate that he remains in a critical but stable condition, with neurosurgeons monitoring swelling in the brain. Local traders and fellow hawkers have described him as a soft-spoken man in his late twenties who was merely trying to make a living amid the economic challenges many face.
“He wasn’t part of the protest. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Mercy Achieng, a vendor who witnessed the shooting. “We want justice, not just for him but for all of us living in fear.”
What’s Next
NPS has promised to make the results of its internal investigation public. Meanwhile, advocacy groups continue to demand an independent inquiry into police brutality during the protests.
With tensions still high in Nairobi and other major cities, it remains to be seen whether this latest arrest marks a turning point or merely another chapter in Kenya’s long struggle with police accountability.
