The National Police Service (NPS) has addressed the matter of police officers caught on camera with laptops stolen from shops in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga revealed that police officers are currently holding four laptops recovered from the protests.
“The National Police Service (NPS) has noted a video circulating on social media, depicting a police officer holding laptops. NPS wishes to clarify that following recent protests in Nairobi, several shops were broken into and various items were stolen,” Nyaga said in the statement.
One arrested
He equally disclosed that one person had been arrested in connection with the theft of laptops from shops in the CBD, and that the said laptops have been kept as exhibits.
“Police officers arrested one suspect and recovered four laptops, which are now in safe custody as exhibits at the Central Police Station, Nairobi,” Nyaga said.
“We therefore urge anyone whose premises were broken into and had laptops stolen to visit the station to identify the recovered items.”
“Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the criminal activities during the protests. The National Police Service remains committed to upholding its mandate of protecting life and property.”
Mask-seller shot
The Tuesday, June 17, 2025, protests generated closer public scrutiny into the conduct of police officers, after an anti-riot police officer was caught on camera shooting a face mask seller at point-blank range.
The man, who is currently at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) ICU ward, was operated on by neurosurgeons at the facility.
The man, who has since been identified as Boniface Kariuki, was reported to be in stable condition by his father, Jonah Kariuki, who equally revealed that he had struggled to raise his son.
“Mimi naitwa Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, na kijana aliyepigwa risasi ni wangu, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. Anafanya kazi ya hawking, anauza mask, na pia mimi ni hawker. Nimemlea kwa shida sana, niko na huzuni kulingana na mahali ambapo ako, lakini si mbaya sana; natunaomba bado atakuwa poa, ako miaka 22, anatokanga Makadara lakini anauzianga commercial, anahawk uko,” Kariuki stated.
The shooting of the hawker has drawn widespread condemnation from across the country, with the nation yet to dispense with a similar incident in which a man was killed in police custody.
Reacting to the incident, the National Police Service said that the police officer caught on camera shooting the victim had been arrested and would be arraigned in court.
“The National Police Service has noted with great concern an incident involving the shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun within the Nairobi CBD. The said police officer has since been arrested,” Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement.
