The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has released a damning report on police conduct during protests held on June 12th, 17th, 25th, and July 7th, 2025. These demonstrations, sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang’ in custody and broader civil unrest, were met with aggressive responses from security agencies across multiple counties.

65 Fatalities and 342 Civilian Injuries
IPOA documented 65 deaths, injuries to 342 civilians, and 171 police officers. Public and private property was destroyed, including businesses, vehicles, and police stations. The Authority confirmed it had attended 61 fatality scenes by July 23 and planned to investigate the remaining cases.

Excessive Force and Unlawful Tactics

The report highlights violations including police officers operating without name tags, use of civilian attire, and deployment of weapons like whips, firearms, and tear gas. Demonstrators were attacked and arrested arbitrarily.

“IPOA observed significant breaches of constitutional policing standards, including use of disproportionate force, lack of professionalism, and failure to uphold public safety and rights,” the Authority noted.

In Nairobi, IPOA documented the violent arrest and subsequent hospitalization of activist Boniface Mwangi. In Mombasa, police broke up a peaceful human rights march of 40 people demanding justice for Ojwang’s death.

Call for Accountability and Reform

IPOA has called on the police leadership to act on the findings and ensure accountability through thorough investigations, prosecutions, and policy reforms.

“Lessons must be learned from this by all affected stakeholders so as to inform better public order management in the future,” the report concludes.

What This Means for Kenya’s Police and Human Rights

This report is a wake-up call for the National Police Service. It reveals a troubling pattern of impunity and a departure from constitutional values. Upholding human rights is not optional—it is a legal and moral duty.

For Kenya to progress democratically, its police force must transform into a service that protects citizens, respects protest rights, and operates transparently under the law. The IPOA’s findings demand not just reaction, but reform.