Police officer shoots man dead after alleged attack in Kitui

On September 11, 2026, a police officer in Kitui, Kenya, fatally shot a 25-year-old man after an alleged altercation at the Mutune Shopping Centre in Kitui Central Sub-County. The officer had been dispatched to the mall to support a colleague who was responding to a previous mob-related incident in Kwa Ngindu Village. Upon his arrival, the officer encountered an individual, identified as Moses Wambua, among the public.

According to an eyewitness, Wambua allegedly slapped the officer and struck him repeatedly on the forehead with a Maasai rungu fitted with a nut. The struggle caused the officer's rifle to fall and detach its magazine. Wambua was heard demanding his sword from the officer. Despite retrieving the rifle and reinserting the magazine, the officer fired several shots at Wambua, who was trying to enter a Mazda Demio.

The officer suffered deep cuts to his forehead and was taken to a hospital in serious condition. Police recovered the Maasai rungu, a whip, three unspent blank cartridges, two spent cartridges, and a live bullet from the scene. Wambua, who sustained a gunshot wound to the left chest, was taken to the hospital mortuary for further examination. The police investigation into the officer's shooting is ongoing.