What You Need to Know
Residents in Huruma, Nairobi, protested the shooting of a 14-year-old boy during a police operation aimed at arresting a robbery suspect. The boy was injured and is in stable condition. Protesters blocked roads and clashed with police, who used teargas to disperse the crowd. Investigations are ongoing into the incident and police actions.
Africa-Press – Kenya. A section of residents in Huruma, Nairobi, on Wednesday protested the shooting of a 14-year-old boy in a police arrest mission gone wrong.
Police used teargas canisters to disperse the protesters in a cat-and-mouse game.
The boy was shot and injured in the operation on Tuesday night that was mounted to arrest a wanted suspect, police said, adding he was in hospital in a stable condition.
On Wednesday, a section of locals staged a protest demanding justice in the saga.
They blocked roads using stones and twigs before anti-riot police arrived to disperse them using teargas canisters. Businesses were closed in the chaos.
The drama continued for hours before it fizzled out.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud said they are investigating the shooting incident.
According to police, the shooting incident of the boy occurred on Tuesday at around 5 pm when officers attempted to arrest a suspect linked to a robbery with violence case reported in Githurai on April 15, 2026.
The suspect had been tracked to a shop along Starehe Road within the Huruma area.
Police successfully apprehended and handcuffed three suspects. However, their operation was disrupted by a hostile crowd that gathered at the scene.
The mob, some armed with crude weapons, began pelting the officers with stones and blocked them from leaving.
In the ensuing chaos, the crowd managed to overpower the officers and freed the suspects from custody.
As the situation escalated, the officers fired warning shots in the air to disperse the crowd and managed to escape in different directions.
During the confrontation, two officers sustained injuries.
Shortly after the incident, police received reports that a Grade 8 pupil had been shot in the leg.
He was rushed to MSF Hospital, where he was treated and reported to be in fair condition.
Meanwhile, undercover officers on patrol later encountered two individuals still in handcuffs fleeing the scene.
The officers re-arrested the suspects and escorted them to Huruma Police Station, where they remain in custody.
Police launched investigations into the incident, including the circumstances that led to the shooting of the minor and the actions of the crowd that interfered with the arrest.
Tension remained high in the area on Wednesday afternoon, with more police patrols
The relationship between police and communities in Nairobi has often been fraught with tension, particularly in areas like Huruma, where incidents of police violence have sparked public outcry. The shooting of minors during police operations raises serious concerns about law enforcement practices and accountability in Kenya. This incident is part of a broader pattern of unrest related to police conduct in urban areas, where residents frequently demand justice and reform in policing methods. Historical grievances regarding police brutality continue to fuel protests and community resistance against perceived injustices.
