NAIROBI, Kenya – A coalition of civil society organisations has accused police officers of colluding with violent groups to unleash chaos during anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi on Tuesday, leaving one man shot and at least 25 others injured.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K) condemned what it described as the “deliberate infiltration” of peaceful demonstrations by organised gangs armed with weapons, including tyre whips, wooden batons, and knives—allegedly with the knowledge and complicity of police officers.
The protests, which took place across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale, were sparked by public outrage over the recent death of teacher and influencer Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
But in the capital, what began as a peaceful protest spiraled into chaos as masked men reportedly attacked demonstrators in broad daylight.
“One unarmed bystander, Boniface Kariuki, was shot and remains in critical condition. Twenty-five people were hospitalised, five with gunshot wounds,” the statement read. “There was also significant damage to private businesses and public property.”
Kariuki, a mask vendor, was shot in the head during the protests and underwent emergency surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital, where doctors successfully removed a bullet. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
The PRWG-K claims to have monitored police officers consulting with violent gangs at various locations in Nairobi’s Central Business District—including Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue and the Railways Club—during what it called “six hours of mayhem.”
“Several groups were filmed thanking the Nairobi Governor for the support they received, while some Members of the County Assembly openly praised their illegal actions,” the group alleged, warning that such incidents are further eroding public trust in law enforcement.
STATEMENT ON YESTERDAY’S ANARCHY: The anarchy witnessed in Nairobi on June 17 was not accidental—it was orchestrated. We demand the immediate arrest of officers and violent agitators who violated the Constitution. Kenya deserves accountable, human rights-compliant policing. Read
Despite public statements from the police promising investigations, the PRWG-K said visits to Central and Kamukunji police stations revealed that no arrests had been made by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The group is now demanding accountability at the highest levels.
They called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to publicly release deployment schedules, names and ranks of officers involved, ballistics reports, and other forensic evidence.
They also want those responsible for using excessive or lethal force—officers and goons alike—arrested and prosecuted.
“The officer who shot Boniface Kariuki must be held criminally responsible. The chain of command and the nature of instructions issued to police must also be made public,” the coalition said.
The group further urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to urgently act to restore order and accountability within the National Police Service.
“The ongoing brutality not only endangers lives but undermines democratic stability and Kenya’s economic resilience,” they warned.
In the wake of Tuesday’s events, the lobby praised journalists, medical workers, legal observers, and citizens who remained peaceful and helped care for the injured and document abuses.
The Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya is a coalition of more than 20 national and grassroots organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, FIDA-Kenya, and the Katiba Institute.
