By irene
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a powerful and unequivocal statement following the nationwide protests of June 17, 2025, triggered by the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang while in police custody. The Society has sharply condemned the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators and the involvement of what it describes as “militia-like” groups working in tandem with police forces to intimidate and harm protestors.
The LSK particularly decried the disturbing footage of an unarmed hawker being shot at close range by an armed police officer in Nairobi. The hawker, who was not part of the protests, was reportedly left for dead and is now fighting for his life at Kenyatta National Hospital. The Society has called the officer’s conduct “premeditated” and “murderous,” demanding the immediate prosecution and public disclosure of the officer’s identity.
The Society also raised alarm over the increasing use of rogue civilian gangs, allegedly ferried and supervised by police, to harass and loot from innocent Kenyans. In a chilling incident cited by the LSK, an Advocate of the High Court, Mr. Ken Ochieng, was assaulted by such a gang that had been dropped off by a police vehicle along Koinange Street.
“Instead of maintaining law and order, police officers are now turning into perpetrators of violence and looting,” the LSK said in the statement. “This signals a dangerous collapse of public trust in law enforcement.”
Highlighting 17 casualties reported across the country, the LSK reiterated that the ongoing protests are a direct response to systemic police brutality and extrajudicial killings. The society called for immediate and far-reaching police reforms, accusing the National Police Service of being complicit in acts of violence and lawlessness.
In Mombasa, four peaceful demonstrators — Francis Auma, Walid Sketty, Mugambi, and Batulie Swale — were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly and assault. Ms. Swale was reportedly physically assaulted by a police officer prior to her arrest. The LSK, through its Mombasa branch, secured their release on bail and committed to offering legal support throughout their prosecution.
Among its key demands, the LSK called on the National Security Council to launch a full inquiry into all recent police abuses, urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to release a detailed report on all police brutality cases from the past year, and pressed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to act swiftly in prosecuting officers implicated in extrajudicial killings.
The LSK further encouraged medical institutions to transparently report the status of victims of police brutality, balancing public interest with patient confidentiality.
In its concluding remarks, the LSK reaffirmed its commitment to defending constitutional rights and the rule of law, warning that continued police lawlessness poses an existential threat to Kenya’s democracy and national security.
“May Justice be our Shield and Defender,” the statement ended, echoing the final line of Kenya’s national anthem.