Video still from MwanzoTV.
On June 18, the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, of which the Peace Brigades International-Kenya Project is a member, “strongly condemn[ed] the deliberate infiltration of peaceful protests by hundreds of violent agitators who attacked protesters and caused mayhem in the County of Nairobi.”
That statement further notes: “Our monitoring and preliminary analysis confirms widespread fears that the National Police Service failed to stop hundreds of masked agitators who were mobilized, transported and deployed to patrol several streets and attack Government critics with tyre whips, large wooden batons and knives. More worryingly, protest observation in the streets and mass media analysis reveal that the police at times intentionally accompanied, supported and directed their operations for more than six hours of mayhem yesterday.”
Canada urges investigation of police
The Nairobi-based Embassy of Canada for Kenya, Somalia and Uganda has posted on social media about this police violence.
The UK in Kenya, Netherlands Embassy in Kenya, the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi, and Norway in Kenya posted similar messages.
22 people injured at protest
Capital News reports: “At least 22 people were injured during [the] Tuesday [June 17] protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which has condemned what it described as excessive use of force and unlawful tactics by police.”
4 human rights defenders arrested
That Capital News article adds: “The Commission also decried the arrest of several peaceful demonstrators, including four human rights defenders in Mombasa, despite organizers having notified authorities in accordance with the law.”
The use of “goons” against protests
TV47 further notes: “Goons, often armed with jembe sticks, crude weapons, and whips have emerged as a terrifying new force during protests across Nairobi. These allegedly hired groups, who appear to work in coordination with the police according to the videos circulating online, are fast becoming a symbol of state-sponsored chaos in what are otherwise peaceful demonstrations.”
The murder of a blogger in police custody
Deutsche Welle explains: “Protesters were calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they blame for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8. …The protests over Ojwang’s death reflect broader public concerns that little has changed since more than 60 people were killed during demonstrations last year, which were initially sparked by proposed tax increases.”
The BBC adds: “Police initially said that Mr Ojwang died of self-inflicted wounds, but were forced to retract the statement after an autopsy found that it was likely he died after being assaulted. Two policemen have been arrested in connection with the death. The protest comes amid simmering tension ahead of next week’s first anniversary of the storming of parliament by demonstrators.”
22-year-old shot by police at protest
During the protest, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki was confronted by two police officers who then shot him in the head.
The BBC explains: “A vendor was shot during Tuesday’s demonstration, sparking renewed outrage from Kenyans who accuse police of using excessive force against protesters. Boniface Kariuki was reportedly selling masks when a uniformed police officer fired a bullet at close range, critically injuring him.”
The Associated Press now reports: “Police in a statement expressed concern and said that two officers, Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, had been arrested and were being processed by detectives for ‘further action’.”
The Social Justice Centres Working Group has posted on social media:
Ongoing concerns about police violence
The Associated Press also reports: “Kenya has a history of police brutality, and President William Ruto previously vowed to end it, along with extrajudicial killings.”
Community mobilizer Mack Marangu tells OkayAfrica: “We’ve experienced a lot of killings from the police and a lot of injuries. Historically, the police force has been a colonial enforcer body. We had the home guards being the first policemen who worked for the colonialists, and they were used to persecute and arrest and cause a lot of oppression on their fellow Africans. This hasn’t changed over the years; it’s morphed into a more sophisticated militia for the state to crush dissent, to punish people, and to continuously perpetuate fear across the public.”
The next protest, June 24-25
The Associated Press notes: “The next protest against police abuses is scheduled for June 24.” The BBC adds: “Activists plan to build up momentum to what they are calling ‘a total shutdown’ of business next Wednesday [June 25].” And OkayAfrica reports: “Marangu says there will be continuous demonstrations leading up to ‘a greater protest on the 25th of June, which protesters are actually hoping to occupy the Statehouse.’”
We continue to follow this.
Further reading: Peace Brigades International Reaffirms Concern as UN Experts Examine Human Rights and Civic Space in Kenya (PBI-Kenya, June 19, 2025).
