The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into a fatal shooting incident allegedly involving police officers attached to Karatina Police Station in Nyeri County. In a statement released on Sunday, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan confirmed that the incident occurred on January 18, 2026, during a routine police patrol within Karatina town. According to preliminary findings, officers shot and killed a man identified as George Gathu Matheri.
Protests Erupt After Shooting
Matheri’s death sparked unrest among local residents, with angry crowds barricading sections of the busy Nairobi Karatina Highway. Several businesses in the area were also vandalised as tensions escalated following the shooting. In response, IPOA deployed its officers to the scene to secure evidence and document the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Evidence Collected, Officer Arrested
IPOA confirmed that investigators collected key material for forensic and ballistic examination as part of the ongoing probe. Following initial assessments, one police officer suspected of firing the fatal shot has been arrested to facilitate further investigations.
IPOA Appeals for Public Cooperation
The oversight body has appealed to members of the public, particularly eyewitnesses, to come forward with any information that could help establish the full facts of the case.
