NAIROBI, Kenya- Police killings in Kenya rose by 20 percent in 2025, according to the latest Missing Voices Annual Report, highlighting ongoing concerns over the use of excessive force by law enforcement, particularly during public protests.
The report documented 131 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in 2025, including 125 police killings and 6 enforced disappearances.
While the total number of documented violations represents a 17.6pc decline compared to 2024, the increase in police killings points to a persistent problem in how security agencies handle public demonstrations.
Key Findings from the Report
- Police killings up 20pc: From 104 cases in 2024 to 125 in 2025.
- Enforced disappearances drop sharply: From 55 cases in 2024 to just 6 in 2025, an 89pc decrease.
- Deadliest months: June and July accounted for 68 deaths, more than half of all killings, coinciding with heightened protest activity.
- Hotspot county: Nairobi remained the county with the highest number of extrajudicial killings.
- Demographics: Youth and young men (ages 19–35) were disproportionately affected, with men representing 90% of all victims.
The report also found that shootings were the primary method of police killings, accounting for 114 cases, raising serious concerns about compliance with national and international use-of-force standards.
Challenges in Accountability
Despite sustained documentation and advocacy, the report notes that accountability remains limited.
Oversight bodies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), face resource constraints, slowing investigations and prosecutions of cases.
The coalition further highlights the shrinking civic space and attacks on human rights defenders and protesters, trends that threaten democratic participation and the rule of law in Kenya.
Call for Urgent Action
Missing Voices has called on government institutions to:
- Criminalise enforced disappearances through legislation and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, providing recourse and reparations for victims.
- Implement urgent police reforms, especially on crowd control and the use of force, and ensure comprehensive documentation of individuals in police custody.
- Provide adequate resources to oversight institutions like IPOA to investigate and prosecute abuses.
- Expedite extrajudicial killings and disappearance cases at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and develop clear investigative guidelines.
- Strengthen judicial case management, prioritise police abuse cases, and ensure compliance with habeas corpus orders.
- Operationalise the National Coroners Services Act and the Prevention of Torture Act.
Missing Voices reaffirmed its dedication to documenting violations, amplifying the voices of affected families, and advocating for justice and accountability, emphasising that reforms are crucial to protecting citizens’ rights and strengthening the rule of law.
