A man who was shot by anti-riot police officers in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday evening has undergone emergency surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening outside KNH, Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed that the man, believed to be a street hawker, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
He said the hospital’s emergency team received the patient at around 4:00 p.m. and immediately provided first aid.
Dr. Amoth explained that after the initial treatment, the man was subjected to a series of medical tests and later reviewed by a team of neurosurgeons.
The specialists determined that the patient needed to undergo urgent brain surgery. “The neurosurgeons evaluated the injuries and recommended an emergency neurosurgical operation.
As we speak, the patient is in the operating room being attended to by the neurosurgical team,” Amoth stated.
He also added that due to the seriousness of the injuries, the hospital had already prepared an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed. “In such serious cases, ICU care is often necessary after surgery, so we have made the preparations to ensure the patient receives proper post-surgery care,” he said.
However, Dr. Amoth noted that he could not give full details on the extent of the man’s injuries since he arrived at the hospital after the patient had already been taken to the theatre. He promised that more information would be released after the neurosurgical team completes the operation.
The incident occurred during protests in the city centre where demonstrators were demanding the resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. The protests had attracted a heavy police presence.
A short but disturbing video widely shared on social media captured the moment when two armed police officers confronted the hawker along Moi Avenue.
The man was reportedly selling face masks at the time. In the footage, the officers are seen physically assaulting the hawker before one of them, who had already cocked his firearm, aimed and shot the man at close range.
Shortly after the shooting, a group of bystanders and fellow traders rushed to assist the injured hawker. He was bleeding heavily as he was carried away by civilians who attempted to get him urgent medical attention.
The video sparked widespread outrage across the country, with many Kenyans — including politicians, human rights activists, and civil society organizations — strongly condemning the use of force by police. Many called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer involved.
In response to the public outcry, the National Police Service (NPS), through its spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, issued a statement confirming that investigations had already begun.
The NPS further revealed that the officer responsible for the shooting had been arrested and taken into custody.
The incident has reignited concerns about police brutality and the excessive use of force during protests, especially when dealing with unarmed civilians.
Many Kenyans continue to demand justice for the injured hawker and accountability from the police service.
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