The National Police Service has confirmed the arrest of one of their officers who was filmed shooting an unarmed civilian at close range during protests in the Central Business District (CBD).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the officer was said to have already been apprehended and will be arraigned in court.

“The National Police Service has noted with great concern an incident involving the shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun within the Nairobi CBD. The said police officer has since been arrested,” the statement read.

Shooting incident

The protests were part of the nationwide demonstrations demanding justice over the death of teacher and digital activist Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody earlier this month.

The video of the shooting went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. In the clip, the officer is seen aiming and firing at the civilian from close range with an anti-riot weapon, despite no apparent threat posed by the protester.

Condemnation of violence

In the same statement, the police service condemned what it described as the presence of a group of goons armed with crude weapons who allegedly infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations.

PRESS STATEMENT : CONCERN OVER AN INCIDENT SHOWING A POLICE OFFICER SHOOTING AT AN UNARMED CIVILIAN pic.twitter.com/rwCZfpgBaT

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) June 17, 2025

“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,” added Nyaga.

Public pressure

This development came hours after Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat stepped aside to allow investigations into Ojwang’s death to proceed without interference.

Rights groups and civil society organizations have since demanded a transparent and independent investigation into both incidents and the prosecution of all officers found culpable.

The NPS assured the public of its commitment to upholding professionalism and accountability, stating that rogue officers will not be shielded from the law.