A number of police officers have been taken into custody after a fatal shooting in Nakuru West, which led to angry protests by local residents.
The incident happened on the afternoon of Monday, June 10, when police officers from Nakuru Central Police Station raided an area known to be a hub for illegal drug trade. What started as a crackdown on suspected drug peddlers quickly escalated into chaos.
Confrontation Turns Deadly
According to eyewitnesses, some of the suspects resisted arrest, prompting the officers to retreat. As the situation grew tense, a crowd began to gather, and in an attempt to control the growing unrest, the police fired shots into the air to disperse the people.
Tragically, one of the suspected peddlers was struck by a bullet during the chaos. He was rushed to a nearby medical facility but died before receiving treatment.
Police Say Operation Was Targeted at Drug Dens
Nakuru County Police Commander Michael Mwaura confirmed the incident and explained that the officers had launched a drug-related operation in the London Estate, a neighbourhood widely known for drug activity.
“The officers arrested one suspect who confessed that he was being supplied by a known drug dealer operating in London Estate,” Mwaura said. “When the officers went to confront this dealer, a scuffle broke out and they were attacked with stones by residents.”
Commander Mwaura added that officers opened fire to protect themselves and disperse the crowd, during which one of the suspects was shot.
Residents Blame Police for Brutality
However, residents who witnessed the incident shared a different story. They accused the police of excessive force, claiming the shooting was not about self-defense but the result of a bribery attempt gone wrong.
Locals alleged that the officers demanded a bribe during the raid and shot the victim after the situation escalated. Though the allegations of bribery have not been confirmed by authorities, the tension in the area soared.
Protests and Roadblocks Erupt
The fatal shooting sparked mass protests across Nakuru West. For most of the evening, angry residents blocked the Nakuru-Kabarak Road using burning tyres and stones, completely halting traffic. The demonstrations became intense as emotions flared, with residents demanding justice for the slain man.
Some protestors even stormed the Nakuru Level Five Hospital, where the deceased’s body had been taken, demanding answers and immediate action against the officers involved. Efforts by local leaders to calm the situation reportedly failed, as the public demanded justice and accountability.
Authorities Silent on Bribery Claims
While one police officer was reported to have sustained injuries during the confrontation, the police have remained silent about the bribery allegations, even as pressure continues to mount from the community and civil society.
The Nakuru incident unfolded on the same day as widespread protests in Nairobi, where activists gathered outside Central Police Station demanding justice over the death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang, who also died while in police custody under suspicious circumstances.
Both incidents have fueled growing public concern over police brutality and misuse of power, with Kenyans increasingly calling for reform, justice, and transparency in the country’s law enforcement agencies.
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