Mask vendor shot in the head in Nairobi protests
People hold a Kenyan flag during a demonstration over the death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, June 17, 2025. PHOTO/ NMG
What you need to know:
- The vendor, who was selling masks in the streets during the demonstration, was slapped and shot after. In an image that circulated on social media, the vendor was seen on the ground bleeding from his upper body.
An exchange between police officers and protesters on Mondlane Street near Imenti House between 2.20pm and 2.30pm yesterday led to the shooting in the head of a mask vendor and is in critical condition. The man, identified only as Ali by his colleagues, had spent most of the day selling face masks to both members of the public and police officers, hoping to make decent sales during the protests calling for the resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat.
The demonstrations followed the death of teacher-turned-blogger Albert Ojwang in a police cell. As officers attempted to disperse a crowd of stone-throwing protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets, one officer was struck on the head by a large stone and began bleeding heavily. His colleagues rushed him into a police land cruiser before turning on the protesters, who scattered, leaving the vendor isolated.
In a video seen by the Nation, two uniformed officers are shown assaulting the vendor, who appears non-resistant and seems to be explaining himself. Moments later, after the two officers stepped back, a third officer approached and shot him in the head at close range.
The vendor, who was dressed in a blue jacket, grey T-shirt, and grey trousers, collapsed with blood gushing from his head. He lay motionless, still clutching the box of face masks he had been selling. The shooting sparked immediate outrage among the protesters, who surged towards police officers stationed in Land Cruisers on Moi Avenue, opposite Nairobi Sports House.
The officers quickly retreated and sped away from the scene. “He was just trying to make money by selling masks to the public. Police cornered him without asking anything and started assaulting him. Moments later, one of them shot him at close range,” said Ms Jane Atieno, a witness.
Mr Melvin Kamau, who was walking on Moi Avenue, was among the first to respond. “I found the vendor lying in a pool of blood before other protesters joined in. By the time he was being rushed to Bliss Hospital near Archives, he was unresponsive. I don’t know what happened after that as I didn’t follow them,” Mr Kamau said. The broad daylight shooting triggered a public outcry, with growing calls for the officer responsible to be arrested and prosecuted. Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo condemned the incident as “unacceptable”.
“He appears harmless in the video. Why would anyone decide to shoot him? Police officers should know how to manage such situations without resorting to deadly force,” Ms Odhiambo said.
Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, also known as Babu Owino, described the incident as “sad”. Police spokesperson Michael Nyaga Muchiri confirmed that an investigation had been initiated. “We are trying to ascertain the claims. We are not able to verify yet, but the process of taking action is underway,” said Mr Muchiri.
Police statement
In a statement, the National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest, investigation and arraignment in court of the involved officer. “NPS has noted with great concern, an incident involving shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun, within the Nairobi Central Business District. NPS has noted a group of goons armed with crude weapons, in today’s protests within CBD.
“The Service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings. Such individuals will be handled firmly, according to the law. Consequently, investigations have commenced to identify and deal with the criminals accordingly,” read the statement
