Shadrack Nyakoe
By Njeri Irungu
Nairobi, Kenya – June 18, 2025
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a scathing condemnation of the violent crackdown on nationwide protests held on June 17, 2025, following public outrage over the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
In a detailed and forceful statement, the LSK expressed grave concern over the disproportionate force used against demonstrators by both police officers and armed goons operating under the guise of defending Nairobi. The Society noted that these vigilante-like groups appeared to be working hand-in-hand with police, unleashing chaos and violence on peaceful citizens.
“We condemn the barbaric conduct of these militia-like groupings, who were acting in concert with police officers,” the statement read. It added that the collaboration between rogue gangs and law enforcement amounted to a coordinated campaign to terrorize demonstrators, loot businesses, and undermine constitutional freedoms.
Among the most disturbing incidents cited was the attack on Mr. Ken Ochieng, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, he was assaulted by a group of armed individuals who had been dropped off along Koinange Street by a police Land Cruiser and escorted by bodaboda riders carrying more armed men. These individuals were not part of the protests, which the LSK described as peaceful and disciplined.
The Law Society was particularly alarmed by a video capturing a police officer shooting an unarmed hawker at point-blank range in Nairobi. The victim, who was not participating in the protest, was left in critical condition and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital. The LSK decried the shooting as a premeditated and unjustified act of violence and lamented that police brutality continues to escalate even amid growing calls for reform.
Although the National Police Service released a statement indicating that the officer responsible had been arrested, the LSK dismissed it as vague and lacking in accountability. The Society demanded full disclosure of the officer’s identity, service number, and legal status, insisting that the perpetrator must face the full weight of justice and serve as an example to deter further abuse of power.
The statement also detailed the LSK’s interventions during the protests, including legal aid provided to demonstrators arrested across the country. In Mombasa, four activists—Francis Auma, Walid Sketty, Mugambi, and Batulie Swale—were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly and assault. The Society raised concern over the violent arrest of Ms. Swale, who was reportedly assaulted by a police officer despite posing no threat.
In light of these events, the LSK called for urgent and comprehensive police reforms. The Society urged the National Security Council to instruct the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Service Commission, and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch immediate inquiries into all reported cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings. It warned that continued inaction by the country’s top security organs only fuels impunity and public mistrust.
The LSK also called for IPOA to publicly declare all victims of police brutality and provide updates on investigations carried out over the past year. The Society emphasized that the evidence already in the public domain is sufficient to prosecute officers implicated in violent crimes, and it urged for transparency and conclusive investigations that lead to real justice.
In addition, the Society appealed to medical institutions, led by Kenyatta National Hospital, to improve public reporting mechanisms for victims of police brutality. While acknowledging the importance of patient confidentiality, the LSK said the public has a right to know the number of victims being treated, the nature of their injuries, and the medical care they receive. This, it said, is essential in easing public anxiety and aiding investigative processes.
The LSK further pressed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to pursue robust charges and timely prosecutions of police officers implicated in extrajudicial killings. It lamented the persistent delays in bringing rogue officers to justice, saying this undermines accountability and opens the door for further abuse.
Concluding its statement, the Law Society reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all investigations and legal actions relating to police misconduct. It emphasized that the protection of human rights, as enshrined in the Constitution, is the foundation of Kenya’s democracy and must never be compromised.
“The events of yesterday are a gruesome contradiction of the role and duty of police,” the LSK stated. “We must remain true to the values espoused in our Constitution and expressed in our National Anthem. The Law Society of Kenya believes that the people of Kenya will prevail over all transgressions against our nation. May Justice be our Shield and Defender.”
Patmoz
