A lobby group wants the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to take immediate action against a police officer captured on video shooting an unarmed trader in Nairobi.
The police officer, who has since been arrested, was recorded cornering the mask vendor in Nairobi’s CBD during protests against the death of Albert Ojwang who died in police custody, before shooting him.
The International Justice Mission Kenya has said preliminary reports confirm that the vendor posed no threat to law enforcement or fellow demonstrators, rendering the use of lethal force both disproportionate and unjustified.
While condemning the incident, the organisation’s country coordinator Vincent Chahale said the shooting of the trader who was simply trying to earn a living raises urgent concerns about the use of force, protection of civilian lives and the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms.
“The Ipoa must conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions must ensure those responsible are prosecuted,” Chahale said in a statement.
“This incident is not an isolated one. It reflects deeper systemic challenges within the National Police Service. In collaboration with our partners, we have documented a concerning trend of law enforcement officers increasingly turning against the very citizens they’re supposed to protect.”
Chahale said the recent occurrence, coupled with Ojwang’s death, further underscores the erosion of accountability and the shift of NPS from a service-oriented institution to one that often operates with reckless abandon.
He said justice and accountability are essential to restoring public trust and safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Kenyans.
The Missing Voices Kenya, a group of organisations, including IJM Kenya, that fight enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings released a report last year that documented 58 deaths during the Gen Z protests alone and revealed a sharp rise in protest-related fatalities.
A statement released by Muchiri Nyaga, the director of Corporate Communication under the NPS, indicated that the Inspector General of Police had ordered for the immediate arrest of the police officer involved in the incident.
“The NPS has noted with great concern an incident involving the shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun. The said police officer has since been arrested,” read the statement.
“Furthermore, NPS has noted a group of goons armed with crude weapons in today’s protests within the CBD. The service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings… Consequently, investigations have commenced to identify and deal with the criminals accordingly.”
Chahale joined a list of leaders and activists condemning the incident, including former Attorney General Justin Muturi said it was not only tragic but unacceptable and unconstitutional.
“An innocent Kenyan trying to earn an honest living by selling face masks was gunned down in broad-light.”
He said police officers no longer act as independent custodians of law and order and challenged Ipoa and ODPP to take stern action.
“We demand accountability. Not tomorrow, today,” he said.
