Five people are hospitalised at the Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi in an incident where a police officer opened fire at the Dandora Total Railway Cross.
Witnesses said there was minimal activity going on in the area when the officer began shooting.
But Kamukunji sub-county police commander Francis Kamau said the police were on patrol and noticed a robbery in progress when they challenged three robbers.
He claimed the alleged robbers withdrew a gun and there was an exchange of fire with the officer.
Police said they recovered four phones, one of which was successfully identified by one of the victims who has recorded a statement at the Dandora police station.
Phone theft at gunpoint has been going on for some time in the area and police have been trailing the thieves for a long time, according to the area OCPD.
Among the injured were passengers who were waiting to board the matatus.
Residents however expressed concern that the police officer might have shot innocent Kenyans. They claim he has previously shot a child in Huruma, demanding justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, the OCPD has said one suspect is under police watch at the Mama Lucy Hospital nursing a gunshot wound on the head.