Tension gripped Karatina town in Nyeri County after a man was shot dead following a confrontation with police officers on patrol.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said the incident happened at about 11pm on January 18, 2025, in Karatina, Mathira East Sub-County.
In a statement, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority was informed of the shooting involving officers from Karatina Police Station.
The victim, identified as George Gathu Matheri, was fatally shot after a brief confrontation with the officers. The police officer suspected to have fired the shot has been arrested and is being held as investigations continue ahead of his court appearance.
After the incident, angry residents barricaded the Nairobi–Karatina highway, disrupting traffic and vandalising property of unknown value.
“IPOA has dispatched a Rapid Response Team from the Nyeri Regional Office to begin investigations and collect all relevant information to establish what happened,” Hassan said.
The authority has secured the scene and is collecting evidence for forensic and ballistic analysis.
IPOA also sent condolences to Mr Matheri’s family and urged the public to remain calm.
“We appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and share information that may help with the investigation,” the statement added.
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