A police officer accused of fatally shooting a hawker during protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District has been arrested, following direct orders from Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
According to Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the officer is set to face charges in court after firing at close range and injuring a man identified as Eli Joshua. Eli, who was selling face masks near Imenti House, was unarmed when he was shot during the protest on Tuesday.
“This matter was taken seriously by the Inspector General, who ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer involved. He has since been taken into custody,” said Nyaga in an official statement.
Footage from the incident, analyzed by Kenyans.co.ke, shows the officer initially running toward protesters along Mondlane Street from Moi Avenue. Although the victim was not near the group at first, the officer later returned with a colleague and confronted Eli, who was standing apart from the crowd and holding masks.
Witnesses said the officers began assaulting Eli, knocking him to the ground. One officer struck him with the butt of a rifle before the other shot him in the head at point-blank range. Eli was left bleeding on the pavement.
Protesters rushed to help and took Eli to Bliss Medical Center for first aid. Later, a Red Cross ambulance was called but briefly turned away after police fired teargas at the gathering crowd. The ambulance eventually returned and transported Eli to Kenyatta National Hospital.
Despite initial reports that Eli had died, police confirmed he is alive and receiving medical treatment. “The victim was taken to hospital and is currently undergoing care,” Nyaga confirmed.
This marks the first official government statement since the shooting, which took place around 4 p.m. and sparked national outrage.
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