NPS Breaks Silence on Viral Shoot-to-Kill Claims During Githurai Protests
The NPS dismisses shoot-to-kill order claims that went viral on social media, distancing Inspector General Douglas Kanja from a controversial directive allegedly targeting protesting residents in Githurai.
In a brief statement issued on Friday, February 20, the National Police Service (NPS) flagged as fake a widely circulated graphic suggesting that IG Kanja had issued a “shoot to kill” order against residents barricading roads and burning tyres.
The viral post, branded with a local news logo and dated February 19, 2026, purported to quote Kanja warning that residents blocking roads with stones and burning tyres would be shot. The statement also appeared to threaten harsh consequences for anyone who disrupted peace.
However, the NPS clarified that the information was not authentic and did not originate from the police IG. According to the service, no such directive was issued, insisting that operational decisions continue to be guided by the Constitution, which governs the use of force.
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The police service further cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information, especially during tense situations that could easily spiral out of control.
Githurai Protests Spark Online Misinformation
The clarification comes against the backdrop of heated demonstrations by residents in Githurai along the Thika Superhighway.
The protests erupted following demolitions carried out by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). Traders operating along the road reserve accused the agency of conducting the demolitions abruptly and without adequate public participation or a clear relocation framework.
On Wednesday and Thursday, demonstrators barricaded sections of the busy highway and set tyres ablaze near the Githurai overpass. The chaos brought traffic to a standstill, severely disrupting transport and businesses along one of Nairobi’s busiest routes.
As tensions escalated on Thursday morning, a contingent of police officers was deployed to disperse the protesters and clear the barricaded road.
Inside the Demolitions
The demolitions took place on the evening of Wednesday, February 18. Excavators and other heavy machinery were deployed along Thika Road to bring down structures located on road reserves.
Although KeNHA had reportedly issued earlier notices to traders operating along the reserve, several traders claimed they were caught off guard. Some said goods were still inside their structures when demolition crews arrived.
For many small-scale traders, the sudden destruction of their stalls not only meant loss of business but also uncertainty about their next move.
Fake News and Public Safety
The viral graphic alleging a “shoot-to-kill” directive surfaced at a time when emotions were already running high.
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Misinformation during protests can significantly heighten tensions, potentially putting both residents and security officers at risk. By publicly dismissing the claims, the National Police Service sought to reassure the public that no unconstitutional directive had been issued.
The service emphasized that any operational decisions remain anchored in constitutional provisions governing the use of force.
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NPS Breaks Silence on Viral Shoot-to-Kill Claims During Githurai Protests
