LSK slams gov't over rights violations during June 25 protests

In a statement released Thursday, the country's leading legal body expressed condolences to the families of the eight people confirmed to have died during the nationwide protests, one year after the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. 

LSK praised those who demonstrated peacefully, claiming that peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right.

“The Law Society of Kenya extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the eight individuals who lost their lives during yesterday’s protests and offers unwavering support to all those who suffered injuries,” read the statement, which also called for restraint and accountability from all involved parties.

LSK sharply criticised Kenya's Communications Authority for suspending live coverage of the protests, calling the blackout and subsequent raids on media signal transmission facilities in Kiambu and other regions unconstitutional and an attack on press freedom.

“In that regard, we call out the high-handedness and impunity demonstrated by the Communication Authority of Kenya in switching off broadcasting signals of local free-to-air TV stations pursuant to an arbitrary and legally impotent directive to impose a media blackout on the demonstrations. This constitutes a gross violation of the right to access information and the freedom of the press,” the statement read.

The legal body also expressed concern about the consistent use of excessive force by police during public demonstrations, noting that Wednesday's events were no exception. 

It reiterated its longstanding concerns about security forces' brutality, particularly during protests demanding government accountability.

“Similar to previous demonstrations calling for justice and good governance, yesterday’s protests were marred by instances of excessive force and extremities by the police,” LSK said, calling for urgent government accountability over recurring human rights violations.

LSK also condemned the infiltration of protests by "hired goons," urging youth not to let themselves be used to commit violence. 

The legal fraternity was particularly concerned about the destruction of judicial infrastructure, which included the vandalism of Dagoretti Law Courts and the torching of Kikuyu and Ol Kalou court premises.

“Courts remain the last line of defence for Kenyans in the pursuit of justice, rule of law and constitutionalism. Destroying or vandalizing our courts amounts to self-sabotage, and undermines access to justice for all those whose files are now destroyed, and whose cases are unlikely to be heard for lack of a venue,” the society warned.

The LSK reaffirmed its role as a constitutional watchdog, promising to collect and assess complaints of human rights violations and pursue any necessary legal redress.

The society also joined a growing chorus of civic and international voices urging the government and its agencies to uphold the rule of law and refrain from arbitrary actions.

“We remain committed to ensuring that all complaints of human rights infractions are collected, assessed and necessary legal intervention taken. The Law Society of Kenya is firmly resolute in its mandate to defend the Constitution, the rule of law, and protect the people of Kenya,” it said.