NAIROBI, Kenya – Outrage erupted in Majengo and Pumwani on Wednesday morning after a 17-year-old boy was fatally shot during a police operation, prompting violent protests that saw two police vehicles torched and businesses shut down.
The deceased, a Form Three student, was allegedly gunned down on Tuesday night in the Majengo Social Hall area during an altercation between undercover police officers and a group of youths.
According to police, officers had stopped the group for a random search on suspicion of drug trafficking, targeting a well-known suspect.
The situation escalated when the suspect resisted, calling for help from people leaving a nearby mosque.
Police claim the crowd turned on them, forcing one officer to fire a shot. The teenager was hit in the head and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
One officer reportedly sustained serious injuries to the hip, hand, and back during the confrontation.
By dawn on Wednesday, residents took to the streets, lighting bonfires and blocking roads, demanding justice for the slain teen.
The protest quickly turned violent, with demonstrators attacking and setting police vehicles on fire.
The chaos spilled over into Gikomba market, catching traders and commuters off guard.
Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah confirmed that property had been destroyed and described some incidents during the protest as “criminal acts.”
In response, police deployed tear gas and fired live bullets to disperse the demonstrators.
Authorities later called for a crisis meeting with community leaders, urging calm as the unrest continued into the morning.
Meanwhile, businesses in the area remained shut, with the usual bustle of the trading hubs replaced by running battles between police and enraged protesters.
