How fatal shooting of teenager sparked riots along Outering Road
Parts of Nairobi’s Outering Road were Tuesday afternoon rendered impassable for hours after angry protesters blocked the road over the fatal shooting of a teenager by the police in Kiamaiko area.
The incident happened when a police operation to recover a stolen motorcycle turned tragic following the fatal shooting of a man in the sprawling area. The shooting sparked a day-long clash between area residents and police officers.
The chaos spilled over to Outering Road, Juja Road and adjacent roads, where protesters blocked routes and engaged police in running battles.
Police said they had gone to a house in the area to recover a stolen motorcycle when the operation turned tragic. This was after some residents started stoning the officers.
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In response, police officers opened fire to disperse the rioting mob and in the melee, a teenager was fatally shot.
Nairobi police commander Adamson Bungei said as police withdrew from the area, armed youths stormed a house they claimed belonged to a police informant and set it on fire.
“This led to a fight between two groups, even as the police were trying to calm an otherwise deteriorating situation,” he said.
Protesters spilled onto the busy Outering Road and adjacent streets where they blocked some routes.
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The chaos caused traffic disruption that lasted for hours. Other areas that were affected included Huruma, Juja Road, Allsops and Kariobangi roundabout.
Videos circulating online shows smoke billowing in the area as vehicles using the route diverted to other routes.
“Avoid Outering Road at Kiamaiko. There are demos. Police dispersing crowd with tear gas. What is going on?” one user tweeted.
Bungei said they are investigating the matter. Area residents, who spoke to Nairobi News, said they are tired of the police operations.