NAIROBI, Kenya – The International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya has condemned the police for shooting an unarmed civilian during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi, calling the act “disproportionate, unjustified, and symptomatic of deeper systemic failures” within the National Police Service.
In a statement released Tuesday, the rights group described the incident — in which anti-riot police shot a face mask vendor in the head at close range — as another glaring example of law enforcement turning against the very citizens they are sworn to protect.
“Preliminary reports confirm that the individual posed no threat to law enforcement or fellow demonstrators,” the statement read. “This latest tragedy follows the recent death of Alfred Ojwang in police custody, further underscoring the erosion of accountability.”
The incident occurred during a demonstration by Gen Z-led activists calling for police reforms and justice for past victims of extrajudicial killings.
While police have since arrested one officer, IJM Kenya says that is not enough — and has demanded a transparent investigation and full prosecution of all officers involved.
IJM Kenya Statement on Police Shooting During Protests On Tuesday, June 17, an unarmed civilian was shot during peaceful demonstrations. This tragedy is not an isolated incident—it reflects a growing crisis in police accountability.
Pattern of Abuse
Citing the Missing Voices report, IJM warned that Kenya is witnessing a dangerous trend of police excess during public protests.
The group highlighted that at least 58 people were killed during the Gen Z demonstrations in 2024 — numbers that paint a bleak picture of a police service straying from its constitutional mandate.
“This is not an isolated case,” said Vincent Chahale, IJM Kenya Country Director. “It reflects a shift from a service-oriented police institution to one that too often operates with reckless abandon.”
Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest and demands law enforcement uphold this right with professionalism and restraint.
The shooting of a civilian merely trying to earn a living, IJM noted, raises fundamental concerns about the use of lethal force and the integrity of oversight bodies.
Calls for Action
IJM Kenya has urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to move swiftly with a full and transparent investigation and called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure criminal accountability for the officers involved.
“Justice and accountability are essential to restoring public trust and safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Kenyans,” the organization said.
The victim remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital after undergoing emergency neurosurgery.
His shooting has sparked renewed outrage across social media and civil society, with many questioning whether Kenya’s police are still capable of self-regulation.
IJM Kenya, a non-governmental organization that has worked on justice reform and protection of vulnerable communities since 2001, vowed to continue pushing for systemic change.
