NAIROBI, Kenya – Top Kenyan lobby groups have petitioned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to institute criminal charges against all police officers who used unlawful and disproportionate force during the End Femicide March.
The lobby groups include the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit.
On December 10, 2024, International Human Rights Day, a peaceful march was organised to highlight the rise in femicide cases across Kenya.
However, it descended into chaos when uniformed and ununiformed officers of the National Police Service chose violence over engagement.
While acknowledging the transfer of key commanding officers following the conclusion of the Internal Affairs Unit’s investigation into the chaos, the lobby groups demanded that more action be taken against the perpetrators.
Who are the affected National Police Service (NPS) Officers
Already on December 16, 2024, IG Kanja announced the transfer of Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Doris Mugambi, SSP, to Vigilance House and Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Stephen Okal to Mulot.
In their place, former Buru Buru Deputy OCPD Stephen Okal, SSP, has been appointed as the new Nairobi Central OCPD, while CI Talaam will now serve as the new Central OCS.
“While this is a step toward accountability, it falls far short of addressing the systemic issues that enable such abuses,” the lobby groups said in a joint statement.
According to the organisations, the violent suppression of peaceful protestors with rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical violence—despite their compliance with legal notification requirements—demonstrates a deep-seated disregard for constitutional rights and international human rights obligations.
“Transferring officers is insufficient; meaningful reforms are urgently needed to prevent such violations. We call on the police inspector general to overhaul police operations and prioritise peaceful engagement with protestors,” the statement further reads.
Why lobby groups want more action taken against the NPS officers
The lobby groups now demand criminal accountability and responsibility, policy and training reforms, clear operational guidelines, transparent oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
“Changing the culture of policing in Kenya is imperative to avoid the kind of violence and injury witnessed last Tuesday. We urge the Inspector General of Police to lead with a commitment to human rights, initiating reforms that reflect Kenya’s constitutional guarantees and international obligations while taking decisive steps to restore public confidence,” the statement further reads.
The statement was signed by Protas Saende, the chairperson of ICJ Kenya; Faith Mony Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya; Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya; and Wangechi Grace Kahuria, executive director of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit.
“Kenya must move beyond symbolic actions and address the systemic problems within its policing framework. The violent suppression of peaceful protestors undermines the nation’s democratic principles and erodes public trust in law enforcement.”
The activists said that they stand ready to engage the National Police Service, the Ministry of Interior, and the Coordination of National Government in crafting practical and actionable reforms that uphold the constitutional rights of all Kenyans.
“The right to peaceful assembly must be respected, protected, and facilitated—not violently repressed,” the lobby groups further said.
