Sixty-five people were killed during recent demonstrations as police used "disproportionate force", according to the state-funded policing watchdog.
In a report released yesterday, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said police failed to notify it about most of the fatal shootings.
The Authority said it observed "significant breaches of constitutional policing standards", including "lack of professionalism", during the protests that occurred on June 12, 17 and 25, and July 7.
IPOA deployed teams to monitor the protests following Albert Ojwang’s death, the anti-Finance Bill 2024 commemoration, and the Saba Saba anniversary.
In its monitoring report, the Authority also recorded 342 civilian injuries, and 171 injuries from police officers.
It also noted that the officers deployed on the streets were not provided with meals.
IPOA is faulting the National Police Service (NPS) for failing to furnish it with information on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of protesters.
The watchdog has recommended to the Inspector General of Police (IG) to allocate sufficient budget to ensure that meals, water, and allowances are provided for police officers deployed to provide security during protests.
According to Section 25(2) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, 2011, police should, upon a death or serious injury, take all necessary steps to secure evidence which may be relevant for the investigation, including pictorial and written evidence, and must, in writing, notify the Authority, and supply it with the evidence and all other relevant facts.
“The failure to notify IPOA of deaths undermines independent oversight, violates legal reporting obligations, and signals a worrying culture of non-compliance,” says the Authority in the report that covered 13 counties: Mombasa, Meru, Embu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, and Machakos.
Out of the 65 documented fatalities, the Authority, as part of its investigations, has attended 61 autopsies so far.
One person, face mask hawker Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, was shot dead on June 17, while on June 25, some 23 civilians lost their lives to police brutality, and on July 7, about 43 people were killed, bringing the total to 65, according to IPOA, which linked the deaths to lack of professionalism, use of disproportionate force, and failure to uphold public safety and rights.
Police have been accused of attempting to cover up their acts of commission and omission during the protests. Further, some officers were reported to have either concealed or cleared evidence from victims of gunshot wounds, a case in point being an incident in Juja where anti-riot officers were captured on camera dragging a protester into Juja Police Station during the Saba Saba protests.
The shocking video further showed the officers physically assaulting another man who was trying to assist the injured civilian.According to the IPOA report, some police vehicles had concealed number plates, and certain commanders had hidden their rank insignia and name tags. Uniformed officers were also seen without visible name tags or service numbers on their uniforms.
“The Authority observed police officers with concealed faces, moving in unmarked vehicles, lobbing teargas and firing at protesters. It was further noted that police concealed station names and the number plates of some vehicles,” says IPOA.
IPOA noted that the protests in most of the monitored areas began peacefully. Except in Mombasa during the 25 June 2025 protests, other areas monitored began peacefully but later turned chaotic, culminating in the looting of shops and other businesses.
“Goons looted, torched, and vandalised government and private property in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Meru, Kirinyaga, Kajiado, Embu, and Laikipia,” says the report, whose main objectives, among others, were to monitor and document police conduct during protests, and assess officers' access to appropriate equipment, meals, drinking water, and lawful working conditions.
The Authority noted patterns of rival demonstrations by goons determined to stop the protests from taking place, with some claiming to be protecting businesses from looters in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Mombasa, and Eldoret.
“Participants in the counter-protests used motorcycles and walked through the streets wielding wooden sticks, crude weapons such as stones, and knives,” says the Authority.
IPOA monitors observed widespread destruction of both public and private property, including arson attacks on vehicles, government buildings, and private businesses. The police were unable to prevent the looting and destruction, appearing overwhelmed to manage the situation effectively.
Among other key recommendations to the IG include lawful protests not being mischaracterised as riots in order to minimise unnecessary violence, injuries, and resource strain.
The IG should also ensure all police assets and vehicles are clearly marked.
Additionally, the IGP should adopt the use of body-worn cameras and videography during protests to strengthen accountability and support evidence-based prosecution of offenders.
“The Inspector General of Police should ensure that medical personnel are facilitated during protests, and that prompt medical aid is provided to the injured. In line with Section 10(1)(h) of the National Police Service Act, the IGP should also establish a dedicated Public Hospital Security Unit to safeguard public medical facilities and support medical responders, especially in high-risk protest areas,” says IPOA.
The IG was also urged to establish mechanisms for proactive engagement with protest organisers to reduce tensions and foster mutual agreements on the security and management of assemblies.
“The Inspector General of Police, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, should ensure that County Policing Authorities, as provided under Section 41 of the National Police Service Act, are fully operational, well-resourced, and actively engaged,” the Authority recommended. By Hudson Gumbihi, The Standard
