A tragic incident unfolded yesterday in Nairobi’s Majengo area, leading to widespread protests and renewed discussions on police conduct.

A 17-year-old Form Three student was fatally shot during a police operation near the Majengo Social Hall. Witnesses reported that undercover officers stopped a group of youths for a random search on suspicion of drug trafficking. When one suspect raised an alarm, reinforcements arrived, resulting in a confrontation where the teenager was shot in the head and later succumbed to his injuries.

The following morning, residents of Majengo and the neighboring Pumwani area took to the streets in protest. They lit bonfires, barricaded roads, and engaged in running battles with police. The unrest led to the torching of at least two police vehicles and the setting ablaze of houses belonging to police officers. Protesters also targeted the area chief’s office, setting it on fire, demanding accountability for the teenager’s death.

Nairobi police commander George Sedah acknowledged the incidents of criminality during the protests, including property destruction. He stated that the unrest stemmed from the previous night’s shooting involving undercover officers and a group of youths.

This incident adds to a growing list of allegations against Kenyan police for misconduct and excessive use of force. Human rights organizations have previously accused authorities of covering up police killings, with reports of deaths mischaracterized as accidents or mob justice. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) continues to investigate complaints of unlawful arrests and abductions.