Kenya is at a pivotal moment. The core values of sovereignty, democracy, and constitutional order are facing serious threats from the ongoing and unchecked rise in extrajudicial killings. It falls on every responsible citizen—especially those in positions of public power—to take swift and decisive action to put an end to these abuses, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure justice for the victims.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has taken a close look at the status update released by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on April 28, 2025, which addressed sixty (60) reported cases of police brutality. Alarmingly, only six (6) of these cases have been resolved and sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions nearly a year later. This lack of progress is not just concerning; it borders on a failure to fulfill their responsibilities.
When there’s inaction, complacency, and delays during such critical times, it can be seen as complicity. IPOA has tested the patience of the Kenyan public, and we warn that continued inaction could make the Authority liable for neglecting its constitutional duties.
Understanding that real change requires collective effort, LSK puts forth the following demands:
IPOA and the National Police Service Commission must prioritize and speed up investigations into all cases of police killings from last year’s protests—both those reported and those known to the public.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions should direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately investigate all officers identified in videos and images committing acts of violence or involved in extrajudicial killings.
The National Security Council needs to instruct all relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the full extent of historical extrajudicial killings and take appropriate legal action.
All findings from these investigations must be made public, and victims, witnesses, and their families should be placed under formal protection to ensure successful prosecutions.
Constitutional protections are in place to support public service in good faith—not to shield those who abuse their power.
Sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law in Kenya find themselves at a critical juncture. It’s the moral and civic responsibility of every conscientious citizen—especially those in leadership roles—to take immediate and principled action against the horrific issue of extrajudicial killings. Those responsible must face justice, and the victims deserve accountability.
We recognize the status update released by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on April 28, 2025, which details its handling of sixty cases of reported police brutality. While the update mentions that investigations are still ongoing for several cases, it’s concerning that nearly a year later, only six cases have been resolved and sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) or the courts. This sluggish pace feels like a neglect of duty and shakes public trust.
In these crucial times, doing nothing, being complacent, or lacking urgency is tantamount to complicity. IPOA has tested the limits of public patience. Therefore, we are putting the Authority on notice: failing to carry out its responsibilities could lead to legal consequences for negligence or intentional inaction.
That said, we believe that addressing these serious issues requires a united national effort. Thus, the Law Society of Kenya calls for the following actions:
We urge the NPSC and IPOA to prioritize investigations into the killings that occurred during last year’s protests and to resolve both reported and publicly known cases without delay.
We ask the ODPP to direct the Inspector General to investigate officers clearly identified in images and videos for using excessive force or suspected of being involved in extrajudicial killings.
We call on the National Security Council to ensure that all investigative bodies thoroughly uncover the extent of historical extrajudicial killings, identify both perpetrators and victims, and seek justice.
We insist that all relevant reports be made public, and that victims and witnesses receive protection to facilitate effective prosecutions.
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We want to emphasize that legal immunity for public officials only applies when their actions are carried out in good faith and in accordance with their duties. Actions like extrajudicial killings, cover-ups, and a culture of impunity are definitely not covered by these protections.
