Kenyan Officer Arrested After Vendor Shot in Face During Protest

A Kenyan police officer has been arrested following public outrage over the shooting of an unarmed street vendor during a protest in Nairobi, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed Tuesday night.

The shooting occurred amid demonstrations sparked by the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody. Shocking video footage widely circulated on social media shows a masked police officer firing at close range, striking the vendor in the face.

The victim, who was known locally for selling face masks, collapsed and bled profusely in front of horrified protesters and journalists. Initial fears of his death were later dispelled, as police confirmed he survived but remains in critical condition.

The National Police Service said it had been monitoring the situation closely and that Inspector General Douglas Kanja had ordered the officer’s immediate arrest and prosecution.

“This act is deeply troubling and does not reflect the values of our service. The officer involved will face the full force of the law,” the NPS said in its statement.

Tuesday’s protest was part of a growing wave of nationwide anger over Ojwang’s death, which demonstrators allege was the result of police brutality and a subsequent cover-up.

Kenyan President William Ruto has condemned the incident, calling Ojwang’s death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and has demanded a transparent investigation.

While most of the protest remained peaceful, tensions flared when a group of plain-clothed individuals wielding sticks appeared at the scene. Protesters accused them of being agents sent to provoke violence and sabotage the demonstration.

The government now faces mounting pressure to address police misconduct and ensure accountability as human rights groups and civil society organizations continue to demand justice.