NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into a fatal police shooting in Nyeri County that left a man dead and triggered unrest among local residents.
In a statement issued on Monday, IPOA said the incident occurred at around 11.00 p.m. on January 18, 2026, in Karatina Town, Mathira East Sub-County, allegedly involving officers from Karatina Police Station.
According to the authority, the deceased, identified as George Gathu Matheri, was fatally shot following a brief confrontation with police officers who were on patrol at the time.
IPOA confirmed that the police officer suspected of shooting Matheri has been arrested and detained, and is undergoing processing ahead of arraignment in court.
The killing sparked immediate tension in the area, with residents barricading the Nairobi–Karatina highway, disrupting traffic and vandalising property of unknown value, according to IPOA.
In response, the oversight body said it has dispatched a Rapid Response Team from its Nyeri Regional Office to commence investigations and establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“IPOA has already seized the scene of the incident and is collecting crucial evidence for forensic and ballistic analysis,” the authority said.
The investigations will focus on whether the use of lethal force complied with the law, including the National Police Service Act and the Sixth Schedule on the Use of Force and Firearms, which require police officers to apply force only when strictly necessary and proportionate.
IPOA also appealed for calm, urging members of the public not to take the law into their own hands as investigations continue.
“The Authority condoles with the family of Mr. Matheri and appeals to the public to be calm,” the statement said, adding that witnesses with information relevant to the incident should come forward to assist investigators.
The authority reiterated its commitment to independence and impartiality, assuring the public that the probe would be conducted fairly and transparently.
“IPOA assures the public that all efforts are being made to achieve justice for the family of the deceased,” the statement added.
The shooting adds to a growing list of cases under scrutiny by IPOA, as the authority intensifies oversight of police conduct amid public concern over extrajudicial killings and the use of excessive force.
Under Article 244 of the Constitution, the National Police Service is required to operate in a manner that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. IPOA, established under the IPOA Act, is mandated to independently investigate deaths and serious injuries caused by police action.
The outcome of the Nyeri investigations is expected to test accountability mechanisms within the policing system, particularly as the country continues to grapple with strained police–community relations.
IPOA said it will issue further updates as the investigations progress.
