A police officer attached to Karatina Police Station in Nyeri County fatally shot a man identified as George Gathu Matheri on Tuesday night following a brief confrontation in Karatina Town. The incident, which has since sparked public concern, occurred as police officers were conducting a routine patrol within the town’s central business district.
According to police reports, the officers encountered Matheri under circumstances that led to a confrontation. During the encounter, one of the officers, identified as Administration Police Constable (APC) Mwangi, discharged his firearm twice. The shots struck Matheri in the head and chest, resulting in fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary information indicates that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area captured parts of the incident. The footage is expected to play a critical role in ongoing investigations, as authorities seek to establish the exact sequence of events leading up to the shooting. Police have secured the CCTV recordings, which are being reviewed by investigators.
Nyeri County police commanders confirmed the incident and stated that the officer involved has been disarmed, pending investigations in line with standard procedure. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also been notified and is expected to launch an independent probe to determine whether the use of lethal force was justified.
Witnesses in Karatina Town reported seeing a brief altercation before gunshots rang out, drawing the attention of nearby traders and pedestrians. The incident has reignited debate around police conduct and the use of force, with human rights groups calling for transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Matheri’s family has been informed of his death as preparations begin for a postmortem examination. Authorities have urged members of the public to remain calm and allow investigations to take their course, assuring that all findings will be made public once inquiries are concluded.
CCTV : A police officer from Karatina Police Station, in Nyeri County fatally shot George Gathu Matheri last night following a brief confrontation with police officers who were on patrol within Karatina Town. APC Mwangi fired twice hitting him in the head and chest pic.twitter.com/Vsgyp1tzV3
— Goddie (@Goddie_Ke) January 20, 2026