NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has condemned the excessive use of force by security personnel during the recent Gen Z-led protests, even as it acknowledged that not all officers acted with malice.
NCIC Chairperson Dr. Samuel Kobia said while some officers were responsible for violence against protesters, others had shown restraint and even assisted the injured. He emphasized that the sanctity of life must be upheld at all times.
“The right to life, dignity, and peaceful assembly must be respected by all actors—state or non-state,” Kobia said in a statement.
His remarks come amid national outrage over police brutality during the Saba Saba Day protests, which saw at least 11 people killed and hundreds injured.
The protests, largely driven by young Kenyans, have highlighted public frustration over economic hardship, corruption, and government inaction.
Kobia praised the youth for taking to the streets to express their grievances, saying their actions were not rooted in violence but in a desire to be heard.
“The demonstrations by Gen Z were not meant to destroy,” he said. “It is only when infiltrators came in that things started going wrong. It has now reached a point where something needs to be done.”
At the same time, Kobia cautioned political, religious, and civic leaders against manipulating or inciting the frustrations of young people for their own gain.
Press Statement
His statement echoes growing calls from civil society groups and watchdogs for accountability over state violence.
The National Integrity Alliance (NIA) also weighed in, warning of a “crisis of leadership and integrity” within Kenya’s security agencies.
In a statement, the alliance called for the resignation of top security officials and comprehensive reforms within the National Police Service and oversight institutions.
“NIA strongly condemns the escalation of state-sponsored violence,” the statement read. “These acts, carried out under the guise of law enforcement, reflect a failure to uphold constitutional values.”
The group cited reports of arbitrary arrests, abductions, sexual violence, and property destruction during the June 25 and July 7 protests, and criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for what they described as a dismissive stance.
“By defending the actions of the police and not addressing the concerns raised about the use of force, Murkomen risks undermining public confidence,” the alliance said, calling for his resignation and a public apology.
