Police Conduct Questioned Over Deadly Protest Response
BY BARAKA SIMBA
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has raised alarm over grave violations by police during public protests in June and July 2025, warning of significant breaches of constitutional policing standards.
The demonstrations, sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, led to violent crackdowns in Nairobi, Mombasa, and other towns. IPOA’s report documents 65 deaths, 342 civilian injuries, and 171 police injuries, most occurring during protest dispersals.
According to IPOA, officers were deployed without displaying name tags or service numbers, while some wore civilian attire armed with whips. The use of excessive force and unlawful arrests was rampant.
“We observed significant breaches of constitutional policing standards, including use of disproportionate force, lack of professionalism, and failure to uphold public safety and rights.” noted IPOA in it's strongly worded report.
In Nairobi, officers were seen beating protesters and destroying property. Two civilian cars were also torched near Kencom. In Mombasa, a peaceful human rights-led march of only 40 participants was forcibly disrupted.
The authority confirmed that as of July 23rd, it had attended 61 autopsies and will attend the remaining ones when they are scheduled. Investigations into the remaining fatalities are ongoing, while 70 cases were reported from Saba Saba protests alone.
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