NAIROBI, Kenya –The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has issued a scathing preliminary report following the Gen Z-led protests on June 25, raising alarm over what it describes as widespread police misconduct, excessive force, and disregard for lawful procedures during the demonstrations.
In the early hours of Wednesday, IPOA dispatched monitoring teams across the country under Section 6(c) of its founding Act.
The goal: to observe how the National Police Service handled public order during protests commemorating the deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
IPOA also worked closely with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), stationing officers at the organization’s Situation Room for real-time coordination.
The protests, which swept across at least 24 counties, quickly escalated into chaos. IPOA reported eight civilian deaths and at least 207 injuries, many of which were linked to gunshot wounds and direct confrontations with police.
The Authority documented the arrest of 61 individuals, the presence of criminal infiltrators, and significant destruction of private and public property during the nationwide demonstrations. But it’s the methods used by police that are now under intense scrutiny.
IPOA’s preliminary findings are damning. The report details the use of live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons, whips, and batons — all deployed in what the watchdog describes as a disproportionate and at times unlawful crackdown.
Of particular concern is the repeated concealment of police identity, a direct violation of law and a blow to accountability.
“These actions disrupted free movement, crippled public transport, compromised essential services, and obstructed normal business activities,” the report reads.
The watchdog has now launched preliminary inquiries into these incidents and pledged expedited investigations in all cases where excessive force was used.
Monitoring operations are expected to continue into the night, with a comprehensive report and actionable recommendations to be released in the coming days.
IPOA also urged Kenyans with complaints or evidence to step forward through the available hotlines and communication channels.
As pressure mounts, the public now waits to see whether these findings will translate into real accountability—or fade into the growing stack of unaddressed police brutality reports in Kenya.
