The police officer accused of shooting an unarmed mask vendor in Nairobi has been arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, the National Police Service has said.

According to a statement from Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the officer who shot the vendor, identified as Eli Joshua, at point-blank range at the height of the protests in Nairobi, will be arraigned in court. 

“Following this incident, the Inspector-General of the National Police Service ordered for the immediate arrest and arraignment in court of the involved officer. The said police officer has since been arrested,” Nyaga said.

While confirming the incident that has shocked the country, police said they noted an anti-riot officer had shot an “unarmed civilian using an anti-riot shotgun.”

A wide-angled picture of the police officer running towards the protester from a convoy of police along Moi Avenue, June 17, 2025.

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This is the first statement from any government agency since the incident happened around 4pm.

Videos analysed by Kenyans.co.ke showed a police officer running towards a group of protesters who were along Mondlane Street near Imenti House before firing the first shot.

At this point, he was not near the victim, who was on the other corner of Imentin House along Mondlane Street. The officer was on Moi Avenue.

Minutes later, the officer walked towards a group of police officers who were camped next to Cabral Street opposite Nairobi Sports Center along Moi Avenue.

For some reason, after a few steps, he turned back and started running towards the protesters.

It is at this point that he encounters Eli, who was away from the protesters holding masks in one hand. This time, the officer was in the company of a colleague, and the two began to beat up Eli.

The vendor then falls to the ground, and then the second police officer hits thehawker with the butt of his gun. A few seconds passed, and then, the first officer aimed his gun at him and shot him at close range in the head.

Eli lies on the ground, bleeding helplessly. A section of protesters then runs to his aid and rushes him to Bliss Medical Center, where he receives first aid while awaiting an ambulance.

According to witnesses, a Red Cross Kenya ambulance approaches the medical centre near the National Archives as protesters gather outside in anger. Police then fired teargas to disperse the crowd, only for the ambulance to retreat.

Witnesses said the ambulance returned and took Eli to the Kenyatta National Hospital, where he is receiving treatment despite earlier reports of him succumbing to his injuries.

“The victim was taken to the hospital and he is receiving medical attention,” Nyaga said in his statement.

Police engaging the protester, who is shot moments later at Imenti House, June 17, 2025.

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