The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed the arrest of a police officer in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in Karatina town, Nyeri County.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 19, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack said the incident occurred on Sunday night, January 18, following a brief confrontation between the deceased and the officer, who was on patrol at the time.
The officer is attached to Karatina Police Station.
IPOA said it has deployed a Rapid Response Team from its regional office to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Officers from the authority have since secured the scene, with forensic and ballistic examinations already underway as part of the inquiry.
According to IPOA, the shooting sparked tension in the area, with residents barricading the Nairobi–Karatina highway, disrupting traffic flow, and vandalising property of unknown value.
“Following the man’s death, heightened tension was reported in the area, leading to the barricading of the Nairobi–Karatina highway and the destruction of property,” IPOA said in the statement.
The authority extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and appealed for calm, assuring the public that investigations are ongoing and that justice will be pursued.
IPOA has also urged anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and record statements that may assist investigators.
The incident comes amid growing concern over cases of alleged police brutality in the country. Just two days earlier, IPOA deployed another investigative team to Nandi Hills after a surveillance video surfaced showing police officers assaulting young men at a pool hall.
The CCTV footage, recorded at around 11:50pm on January 10, shows several officers entering the premises, forcing approximately 12 young men to the ground, and beating them with batons.
Audio from the footage also captured officers demanding identification before the situation escalated.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 16, IPOA said the investigative team has been tasked with reconstructing the sequence of events, assessing the conduct of the officers involved, and determining culpability in line with IPOA regulations.
The authority added that several witnesses to the Nandi Hills incident have been summoned to record statements as investigations continue.
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