A growing chorus of international and local watchdog groups has condemned Kenyan security forces for using excessive and deadly force during recent nationwide protests, resulting in scores of civilian deaths, injuries, and disappearances. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have both blamed disproportionate policing methods for the escalating violence, with concerns mounting over the lack of accountability and institutional cover-ups.

The protests, which began in early June 2025, were initially sparked by the suspicious death of popular blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody. What started as a demand for justice quickly evolved into a nationwide movement against corruption, economic hardship, and authoritarian governance. Demonstrations reached a peak on June 25, the anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax protests, and again during the annual Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7.

According to KNCHR, at least 70 people have died since mid-June, while over 550 have been injured and more than 500 arrested. Human rights monitors have documented the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons against peaceful demonstrators. Many victims were reportedly shot at close range or beaten severely by security forces.

Investigations have uncovered systemic efforts to conceal the true nature of the deaths. Morgue records often falsely listed gunshot victims as having died from accidents, mob violence, or drowning. Families of victims claimed they were denied access to information, while human rights lawyers raised concerns about manipulation of official documentation.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), tasked with investigating police misconduct, has come under sharp criticism for its slow pace and lack of transparency. Of the 22 protest-related deaths investigated since the 2024 protests, only two cases had reached court by May 2025.

Further raising alarm, human rights organizations reported the discovery of mutilated bodies near the Mukuru police station in Nairobi, with many showing signs of torture. The victims were wrapped in plastic and dumped near a rubbish site, prompting an IPOA probe into possible extrajudicial killings.

President William Ruto’s recent comments directing police to shoot protesters “in the leg” instead of fatally have drawn condemnation from rights groups, who warn that such rhetoric encourages impunity and undermines the rule of law. The arrest of prominent activist Boniface Mwangi on questionable charges of illegal ammunition possession has also raised fears of political persecution.

Civil society groups, including FIDA-Kenya, have condemned the violations and called for urgent reforms. They report incidents of sexual violence, masked police deployments, and attacks on medical personnel and facilities during the protests. Despite a court order barring the use of masked officers and barricades, enforcement has remained lax.

The broader civic movement, largely led by young Kenyans, continues to demand justice, accountability, and a fundamental shift in governance. Human rights groups are calling for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate protest-related abuses and ensure justice for victims and their families.

As international attention grows, many now view the Kenyan government’s handling of these protests as a critical test of its commitment to democratic principles and human rights.