Shooting in Nairobi Central Business District ¶
On April 30, 2021, chaos erupted along Moi Avenue in Nairobi's central business district after a security guard and a passer-by were hit by stray bullets.
According to witnesses, actor Ainea Ojiambo was walking down the street when he was accosted by three thugs who wanted to snatch his gold neck chain.
Ojiambo, who had a gun, drew it and aimed at the thugs, causing them to scamper for safety.
However, in the brief melee that followed, two gunshots were heard, hitting the security guard in the left eye and a passer-by in the ribs.
The security guard, identified as Phillip, was left bleeding at the scene for about 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived.
The passer-by was taken from a nearby music shop and rushed to hospital in a Nairobi County ambulance.
Police officers took Ojiambo to Central Police Station, where he was protected from angry onlookers who accused the police of focusing on rescuing the actor, leaving the bleeding security guard at the scene.
A protest ensued, with boda boda riders and others accusing police of 'securing the suspect', and officers lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta confirmed he was representing Ojiambo in the matter but said they were still unsure what he would be charged with.