Kenya witnessed a wave of anti-government protests by Gen-Z youth from June to December 2024. While the initial spark was a proposed tax hike, the demonstrations swiftly evolved into a nationwide call for government accountability and reform.  However, a dark cloud loomed over these protests –  systematic police brutality.

Excessive Force and Impunity

Reports by credible rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch paint a grim picture.  Kenyan police deployed “live ammunition, tear gas, and beatings” against unarmed protestors, resulting in numerous injuries, deaths, and mass arrests. The narrative often shifted, with victims labelled as criminals while police brutality was justified as “self-defense.”

Tampering with Evidence and Fabricated Narratives

The Kenyan authorities allegedly engaged in a disturbing cover-up. Witnesses and activists reported instances where police removed bodies of those with gunshot wounds from protest sites. Autopsies were either delayed or tampered with to obscure the cause of death.

A chilling example is the case of 19-year-old Charles Owino.  While the autopsy revealed a gunshot wound to the head,  police records listed his death as a car accident. Similarly, Denzel Omondi’s death by  “detailed hyperinflated lungs” and bruises became a case of “drowning” according to the official record.

Undercover Tactics and Intimidation

Reuters’ investigations exposed a pattern of police employing undercover officers to infiltrate protests.  These officers would gather phone numbers of demonstrators,  presumably to target them later.  One anonymous officer spoke of how undercover agents would ensure protestors wouldn’t reach the next demonstration – a thinly veiled threat of violence.

Silence from the Top

The silence from President Ruto, his deputy, and the Interior Ministry regarding these allegations is deafening. This lack of accountability fosters a climate of impunity for rogue police officers.

The Fight for Justice

Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch have documented  cases of people being abducted by unidentified individuals in plain clothes. These abductions were violent and often happened without any legal recourse.

The Kenyan government must take immediate action to address these disturbing allegations. A thorough, independent investigation is essential to bring those responsible for police brutality to justice. Kenyans deserve a government that upholds the rule of law and protects its citizens’ fundamental right to peaceful assembly.

Panafricanism demands accountability and justice. We at Pan Africanist cannot turn a blind eye to the violence and rights abuses rocking Kenya.  We urge the international community to raise its voice and  demand an end to police impunity in Kenya.