A police officer in Kenya has been arrested after being filmed shooting an unarmed civilian during protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday. The incident has sparked national outrage and intensified calls for police accountability.
The demonstrations were driven by public fury over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. While his death was initially deemed a suicide, investigations have now connected it to police brutality, resulting in the arrest of two officers.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
During the protests, a man identified by witnesses as a hawker selling face masks near Imenti House was shot at close range with an anti-riot shotgun by a police officer. Saba North MP Millie Odhiambo named the victim as Eli Joshua from Homa Bay.
Viral footage shows two armed officers approaching the unarmed man before one of them fires, leaving him wounded on the street.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the arrest of the officer involved, stating:
“The NPS is deeply concerned about the shooting of an unarmed civilian using an anti-riot shotgun in Nairobi’s CBD on June 17, 2025. The officer responsible has been taken into custody.”
Although the officer’s name was not disclosed officially, social media users have identified him as Benjamin Tanui. The victim is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
In its statement, the NPS also condemned violent elements within the protests, referring to some demonstrators as “goons armed with crude weapons,” and promised to take appropriate legal action.
Ojwang’s death and the subsequent violence have intensified demands for comprehensive police reform. Activists and citizens alike are pressing for justice, accountability, and the resignation of top officials implicated in misconduct.
The situation has placed Kenya’s police oversight mechanisms under intense scrutiny as the public demands an end to excessive force and abuse by law enforcement.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
