LSK condemns police brutality, demands reforms after protest violence, shooting in Nairobi

The protests in Nairobi reportedly injured at least 17 people, including a hawker shot at close range by a police officer.

The LSK sharply criticized security forces' conduct in its statement, citing mounting evidence of excessive force against demonstrators as well as disturbing reports of militia-like groups operating alongside police officers. 

According to the society, these groups harassed and intimidated civilians, raising serious concerns about human rights violations and a breakdown in the rule of law.

The LSK also reported a targeted attack on a High Court advocate en route to see his client, Mr. Ken Ochieng. 

The attackers, who were reportedly dispatched from a police Land Cruiser and escorted by motorcycles, were armed with blunt weapons. 

The society stated that the people involved were not part of the peaceful protests but rather appeared to be criminal elements working under police protection.

“These incidents paint a troubling picture of a law enforcement system that is enabling—if not actively participating in—violence, theft, and intimidation,” the LSK said.

The statement also accused some police officers of actively looting, particularly in shops previously broken into by suspected militia groups. 

The LSK warned that such actions erode public trust in the police force and threaten to fundamentally undermine the institution's role as a guardian of public safety.

“There is a growing perception that the National Police Service has become a conduit for violent crime,” the LSK noted, cautioning that continued impunity could lead to irreparable harm to the public's trust in law enforcement.

A widely circulated video allegedly showed a police officer shooting an unarmed hawker at point-blank range in Nairobi, sparking public outrage. The victim, who is still in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital, has become a symbol of the protest's most violent incidents.

The victim's father, John Kariuki, expressed concern about his son's treatment and the lack of clear information from authorities. “We are demanding justice,” he said. “The officer must be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable for this heinous act.”

While the National Police Service later stated that the officer involved had been identified and arrested, the LSK deemed the response vague and insufficient. T

The society has insisted on complete transparency, requiring the public disclosure of the officer's name, service number, and a clear commitment to criminal prosecution.

“The officer must be treated as the face of impunity and lawlessness within the police ranks,” the statement read.

In its closing remarks, the Law Society reiterated its long-standing call for comprehensive police reform. It emphasized that the role of law enforcement is to protect life and uphold public order—not to act as perpetrators of violence and lawlessness.

“This is a critical moment for Kenya,” the LSK stated. “The police must recommit to their constitutional mandate, and those who violate that trust must be brought to justice without delay.