In recent months, Kenya has witnessed heightened citizen participation in public discourse. Faced with an increasing cost of living, an increasing debt crisis, rampant graft and excesses of the security services, Kenyan citizens, the majority of them young people, have gone out to express their disappointment with the ensuing socio-economic and political environment in Kenya. However, the young people, particularly peaceful protesters, and those in marginalized communities, have endured immense suffering at the hands of the very institutions meant to protect them. The ongoing crisis of police brutality, marked by extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, harassment, and violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations, is a profound breach of trust and a systemic affront to justice, democracy, and human dignity in our nation.The current situation is unacceptable. ActionAid Kenya stands in unwavering solidarity with every victim and family affected by these acts. We echo the resounding calls from across the country:
We Demand Immediate Accountability and Justice
We demand unreserved accountability for every act of police misconduct. This includes swift, impartial, and thorough investigations into all allegations of brutality, leading to the prosecution of implicated officers without favour. Justice must not only be delivered but also be visibly evident for victims and their families, including comprehensive support and redress for the immense physical, psychological, and financial burdens they have endured.
We Demand a Reformed, Transparent, and Community-Focused Police Service
This is not merely about individual wrongdoing but fundamentally reforming the institutions meant to uphold the law. We demand a transparent, accountable, and community-focused National Police Service that prioritizes human rights and public safety above all else. The police have a constitutional mandate to protect life and property, maintain law and order, and uphold the rule of law. The National Police Service, comprising the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service, is established by the Constitution and governed by the National Police Service Act. This framework emphasizes professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights, positioning the police as a service to the public rather than just an enforcement body.
Our Call to Action
ActionAid Kenya specifically calls upon:
- The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) – To vigorously pursue and prosecute allofficers implicated in human rights abuses, demonstrating unwavering independence andtransparency in their critical mandate. Such officers must have their day in court, and justicemust not only be seen to be served but actually be served.
- The National Police Service – To fully embrace genuine reform, commit to human rights-basedtraining, robust internal accountability mechanisms, and the proactive implementation of policingmodels that foster trust and collaboration with citizens. The Police Service must move with speedto apprehend and prosecute the goons who infiltrated the peaceful protests, and who engaged inspreading terror to innocent citizens, robbing them, and destroying property.
- The relevant government arms – To take decisive, measurable steps to end police violence andimpunity. This includes strengthening legal frameworks, ensuring the protection of human rightsdefenders, and demonstrating the political will necessary to safeguard the rights and dignity ofevery Kenyan.
This is not merely about law enforcement; it is about upholding human rights, fostering equality, and securing a just future for Kenya. We must collectively amplify the voices of survivors, victims’ families, dedicated activists, and organizations tirelessly championing change. ActionAid Kenya remains committed to working alongside all stakeholders to ensure that justice prevails and that such atrocities cease.
Samson Orao,
Interim Executive Director, ActionAid Kenya