Large crowds have gathered outside the Quickmart Overland Trading Company (OTC) branch in Nairobi, Kenya, following disturbing allegations that dead bodies with gunshot wounds are locked inside the supermarket.
The reports, which surfaced on social media platforms on June 26, 2025, have sparked outrage and drawn significant attention, with many residents demanding answers from authorities. The incident is allegedly linked to protests that turned violent in the capital, raising concerns about police conduct and public safety during demonstrations.
According to sources, the situation unfolded after protests in Nairobi, where demonstrators clashed with police. Sources claim that security forces shot looters targeting the Quickmart OTC branch on the evening of June 25, 2025, and that the bodies of the victims remain inside the locked supermarket.
One citizen stated that up to 20 bodies with gunshot wounds were retrieved, though these claims remain unverified by police official sources.
Parents and relatives of missing individuals have reportedly camped outside the supermarket, demanding access to confirm the identities of the deceased.
Police have cordoned off the area, using teargas to disperse the growing crowds, further escalating tensions. Nairobi Police Commander George Seda, in a recent statement addressing protest management, emphasized that police are equipped with full riot gear and rubber bullets, not live ammunition, to control crowds.
“Our tools for work for the demonstrators are purely full riot gear, no ammunition we are supposed to have except that of the rubber bullets, which could cause more injuries at close range,” Seda said.
However, the allegations of gunshot wounds have raised questions about whether live rounds were used, contradicting official protocols. Seda also discouraged the use of face masks by both officers and protesters, citing the need for accountability during public gatherings.
The Quickmart OTC branch, part of Kenya’s second-largest retail chain, has been a focal point in past protests. In July 2023, rioters vandalized and looted supermarkets, including Quickmart, during anti-government demonstrations in Kitengela.
Those clashes resulted in injuries, including gunshot wounds, and strained police resources. The recurrence of such incidents highlights the volatile nature of protests in Kenya, particularly in urban centres like Nairobi, where economic and governance issues frequently fuel public unrest.
Civil rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the alleged shootings at Quickmart OTC, urging authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The lack of official confirmation from the police or Quickmart management has fueled speculation and distrust, with social media amplifying unverified claims.
Another person described “unnecessary teargas” being used against grieving families, intensifying demands for transparency.
The protests, part of a broader wave of demonstrations in Nairobi, have highlighted ongoing tensions between citizens and law enforcement. Activists argue that excessive force, including the use of teargas and potentially lethal measures, violates the rights of protesters.
The Quickmart OTC incident has become a flashpoint, with crowds chanting for justice and access to the supermarket to verify the allegations.
Quickmart, which operates 60 stores across 14 Kenyan counties as of 2023, has faced challenges in a tough economic environment but remains a key retail player.
The company has not stated the alleged incident at its OTC branch, leaving the public reliant on social media reports and eyewitness accounts. The situation remains fluid, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reportedly on-site to probe the claims.
As Nairobi braces for further protests, the Quickmart OTC incident underscores the need for clear communication and accountability from authorities.
The allegations of dead bodies with gunshot wounds locked inside the supermarket have cast a shadow over the city, with large crowds vowing to remain until answers are provided.
The coming days will likely see increased scrutiny of police tactics and the government’s handling of public dissent, as Kenyans demand justice and clarity in this troubling case.
