The National Police Service (NPS) has appealed for calm in Huruma, Nairobi, following a violent confrontation that left one person dead and triggered unrest in the area, including the torching of two vehicles.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Office of the Inspector General detailed events that unfolded over the last 12 hours, beginning with a robbery report made at Huruma Police Station on Saturday morning.
According to police, a man reported that five young men known to him had assaulted and robbed him of a silver chain and Sh1,800 in cash, and threatened to kill him.
Officers responding to the complaint arrested two suspects at the scene. Further investigations later in the day led to the arrest of two additional suspects at around 7.30pm.
Police said the situation escalated during the second arrest when one of the suspects raised an alarm, drawing a group of youths who began throwing stones and other objects at officers in an attempt to disrupt the operation.
Officers fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd.
“A short while later, information was received indicating that a member of the public had been fatally injured during the confrontation,” the statement said.
The NPS added that the incident was followed by a breakdown of law and order in parts of Huruma, with reports of two vehicles being set on fire.
The police acknowledged the death of a young person during the skirmishes and said an accountability process had already been initiated.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been deployed to the scene and is conducting investigations, with the police pledging full cooperation.
“The NPS acknowledges the tragic death of a young person during the skirmishes last evening,” the statement read.
“The public is asked to allow the processes of transparency and accountability to take place and to desist from further acts of lawlessness to enable de-escalation.”
The service urged residents to remain calm and avoid acts of violence as investigations continue.
Members of the public with information related to the incident have been asked to report to the nearest police station, contact any law enforcement officer, or share information through toll-free numbers 999, 911, or 112.
