Head-Shoot Horror: Police Officer Arrested After Gunning Down Vendor in Nairobi CBD Protest Chaos

In a disturbing twist of events that has reignited national outrage over police brutality, the National Police Service has confirmed the arrest of the officer responsible for the shocking head-shooting of an unarmed street vendor during protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). 

The victim, identified as Eli Joshua, a mask hawker, was gunned down in broad daylight by an anti-riot officer in an incident captured on video and widely shared online. According to police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the officer was arrested on the direct orders of Inspector General Douglas Kanja and will be arraigned in court to face charges. 

“Following this incident, the Inspector-General of the National Police Service ordered for the immediate arrest and arraignment in court of the involved officer,” Nyaga said in an official statement. 

Video footage, independently reviewed by journalists and human rights observers, paints a grim picture of the moments leading up to the assault. 

Initially, the officer was spotted on Moi Avenue, firing the first shot in the direction of protesters gathered near Mondlane Street, close to Imenti House. Eyewitnesses said the officer then retreated briefly to regroup with fellow police personnel stationed near Cabral Street, opposite Nairobi Sports Center. 

But then, in a chilling move, the officer turned back, rushed toward the scattered crowd, and singled out Eli, who was standing apart from the demonstrators, holding masks in one hand. 

What followed was brutality in its rawest form: the officer and a colleague began assaulting the unarmed vendor. After Eli collapsed to the ground, the second officer struck him with the butt of a rifle. Seconds later, the first officer aimed and fired a close-range shot to Eli’s head, a moment that has now become symbolic of the escalating violence by some within the police force. 

Bleeding and unconscious, Eli was rushed to Bliss Medical Center for first aid. As word spread, demonstrators gathered outside the facility, demanding justice. However, as a Red Cross ambulance arrived to transfer Eli to Kenyatta National Hospital, police officers responded by firing tear gas, temporarily forcing the ambulance to retreat. 

The Red Cross eventually returned and transported Eli for emergency care. Contrary to earlier reports claiming he had died, police confirmed that Eli is still alive and receiving treatment. 

“The victim was taken to the hospital and he is receiving medical attention,” Nyaga added. 

This incident has ignited a firestorm across social media and beyond. Civil rights groups, religious leaders, and political figures are calling for swift justice, transparency, and deep reform within the ranks of the police. 

The arrest of the officer is being seen as a rare but necessary move by the government to restore public trust in law enforcement. But many Kenyans argue that a single arrest is not enough, they want accountability across the chain of command, protection for victims, and an end to what they call a long-standing culture of impunity. 

As the country awaits the arraignment, the name Eli Joshua has become a symbol, of survival, resistance, and the urgent need for reform.