NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has raised concern over the welfare of police officers deployed to manage recent anti-government protests, saying they were left without food, water, or allowances during long hours in the field.
In its Monitoring Report on Police Response to Public Protests, June and July 2025, Ipoa said officers endured harsh conditions — including violent crowds and chaotic scenes — with little logistical or psychological support.
“The Inspector General of Police should allocate a sufficient budget to ensure meals, water and allowances are provided for police officers deployed to provide security during protests,” the authority recommended.
The report, based on protests monitored on June 12, 17, 25, and July 7, revealed that 171 officers were injured, alongside 65 civilian deaths and 342 civilian injuries.
It also flagged unprofessional conduct by police, including excessive and disproportionate use of force, and violations of legal protest procedures.
Ipoa singled out the June 25 demonstrations for serious abuses, documenting cases where commanders refused to accept official protest notices, contrary to the Public Order Act.
The authority said this undermined legal protest protocols and escalated tensions with demonstrators.
Beyond the protests, Ipoa said poor welfare and inadequate staffing hinder not only police performance but also its own ability to investigate misconduct complaints.
The authority linked the situation to chronic underfunding, citing its 2022 Inspection Report on Police Infrastructure and Detainee Welfare, which documented rundown armouries, lack of basic offices, and inadequate housing for officers.
The watchdog noted that despite widespread destruction of property during the protests — including attacks on police stations, vehicles, businesses, and government buildings — officers were deployed without sufficient support, leaving them physically exposed and psychologically unprepared.
To address the gaps, Ipoa has recommended a recruitment drive to improve the officer-to-citizen ratio from the current 1:600 to the UN-recommended 1:450.
The government has already announced plans to recruit 10,000 officers this year.
It also urged clear identification of police vehicles and personnel for accountability, alongside welfare improvements to strengthen both officer safety and the quality of policing.
