Ten police officers have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a civilian in London Estate, Nakuru.
The incident, which followed a confrontation between officers and residents, has sparked public outrage and prompted an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Eyewitnesses say the chaos began after police attempted to arrest three young men. One resident recounted, “Maafande walikuja baze, wakashika vijana watatu. Hao vijana hawakukubali kuingia kwa gari… wakashoot juu,” claiming officers opened fire after the suspects resisted arrest.
The victim, identified by residents as Dan, was allegedly shot in the mouth during the altercation. “Wametuzoea… wamemshoot kwa mdomo. Tunaomba watupee mwili ya mwenzetu, mwili ya Dan,” said a distraught woman, demanding the release of the deceased’s body to the family.
Another resident, Jane Nafula, expressed frustration over what she described as a pattern of police violence: “Haki iko wapi kwa hii Kenya? Tunaskia uchungu kama wananchi.”
Nakuru County Police Commander Michael Mwaura confirmed that the officers involved have been placed in custody pending investigations. “All officers have been subjected to investigations. The firearms have been taken for ballistic analysis. All officers are under arrest,” he said.
Commander Mwaura further stated that an identification parade will be conducted on Tuesday to determine which officer fired the fatal shot. He also confirmed that one police officer was injured during the incident and is currently hospitalized.
Providing additional context, Mwaura explained that the confrontation began during a routine patrol. “Officers were patrolling. They arrested a youth for peddling bhang.
After arresting him, he claimed to know a dealer. When they reached the dealer’s location, that’s when the altercation broke out.”
In the aftermath, irate youths stormed Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, disrupting services for several hours as tensions in the community escalated.
