IPOA flags use of excessive force by police during demos
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has raised concerns over the conduct of law enforcement in the recent protests that culminated last year during the anti-finance bill demonstrations.
A report released by the agency revealed that since the onset of the protests 65 Kenyans had lost their lives, 342 civilians and 171 police officers sustained injuries, destruction of public and private property, vandalism of businesses, police stations were recorded during the chaos.
The report also says that 48 complaints of police brutality and another 70 cases were reported to IPOA during the June 25th protests, a day Kenyans set aside to mark the June 24th, 2024, protests anniversary and Saba Saba protests this month were reported respectively.
“Across the protests, IPOA observed significant breaches of constitutional policing standards, including use of disproportionate force, lack of professionalism and failure to uphold public safety and rights. The actions undertaken by goons who infiltrated the protests undermined the principles of peaceful assembly and contributed to escalation of violence, injuries and fatalities,” the IPOA report stated.
IPOA observed that police sent out quell the riots used lethal crowd control measures that resulted in fatalities which went against Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution. Additionally, it said that police did not intervene in the Gen-Z counter-protests, use of concealed number plates, uniformed police officers and hidden name tags by top officers deployed to manage the demos.
On the protesters, IPOA noted that they began peacefully. However, goon infiltration privately hired persons guarding businesses and police in civilian and official attire impacted the conduct of the protests.
“During the demonstrations, rival demonstrations by goons determined to stop the protests from taking place, with some claiming to be protecting business from looters emerged in Central Business Districts (CBD) in Nairobi, 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,” the report read.
Protest-Related Arrests and Deaths
A total of 1,126 arrests were recorded in the monitored areas since 12th June, 2025 with 223 suspects involved in the protests were arraigned in court across the country.
The authority also said it recorded five deaths out of the 65 fatalities from the National Police Service (NPS), in line with provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the CAP 84 of the Laws of Kenya.
Way Forward
Led by Ahmed Issack Hassan, IPOA Chairperson, highlighted systemic challenges which include inconsistent enforcement of the Public order ACT, concealed police officers and vehicles, lack of provision of first aid, poor welfare of officers and gaps in engagement with protest organizers.
“These shortcomings collectively contributed to the injuries, fatalities and property damage experienced during the demonstrations,” he said.
IPOA committed to monitoring police operations affecting members of the public and documenting arising violations of human rights and making recommendations to relevant state actors in line with its objective of giving effect to the provision of Article 244 of the Constitution that police shall strive for professionalism and discipline to promote and practice transparency and accountability.