A man lost his life on Monday, July 7, 2025, while trying to protect his business along Jogoo Road during the Saba Saba Day protests.
He was reportedly attempting to stop looters from breaking into his shop when the police opened fire. Eyewitnesses say the man was not taking part in the protests. He was just outside his shop, watching over his property when chaos broke out.
Protesters started forcing their way into shops, and in the confusion, police began firing live bullets to try and push the crowd back.
The shop owner was hit in the crossfire and died at the scene.
According to a witness who spoke near the scene, the man did not pose any threat. “He was just trying to stop the looters from damaging his property. He wasn’t armed, and he wasn’t part of the protest.
Then we heard gunshots, and he was on the ground,” the witness said. His identity has not yet been officially released, but the incident has left residents and business owners in shock.
The shooting happened during one of the largest protest days in recent years. Saba Saba Day, which dates back to the 1990 pro-democracy protests, has once again become a national day of resistance.
This year’s protests were organized by several activist and civil rights groups to demand lower living costs, better governance, and an end to police violence.
The demonstrations drew thousands of people to the streets in Nairobi and other towns across the country.
Police had already set up roadblocks on major roads like Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, and Jogoo Road in an effort to stop crowds from getting to the Nairobi CBD.
Many businesses remained closed out of fear, and tension was high throughout the city.
Areas like Kangemi also saw violence, with reports confirming at least one protester was killed and another injured when police used live bullets.
Calls have now been made to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch a full investigation into the shooting on Jogoo Road and similar incidents reported during the protests.
Human rights groups have condemned the police response and are accusing officers of using unnecessary and deadly force.
“This is unacceptable. People have a right to protest, but also a right to safety. Shooting innocent people cannot be the way to maintain order,” said a representative from a local human rights organization.
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