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Twenty human rights organizations have urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take action against police officers accused of misconduct during protests against the Finance Bill.
The groups issued a joint statement on Saturday, calling on IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori to investigate reports of police brutality. They expressed concern over incidents where law enforcement allegedly used excessive force, resulting in injuries and deaths among unarmed demonstrators.
The statement detailed documented cases, including 23 fatalities, 34 disappearances, and 271 injuries linked to the protests. The organizations demanded accountability, emphasizing that officers responsible for misconduct should face prosecution.
They cited violations of constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and referenced international standards that limit the use of lethal force to protect life only under extreme circumstances.
In addition to their criticism of police conduct, the groups raised objections to the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) across all counties, fearing a further escalation of tensions. They underscored Kenya’s obligations under international treaties and urged IPOA to swiftly and transparently investigate the alleged abuses.
The coalition of human rights bodies, including Amnesty International Kenya, Defenders Coalition, and others, also called on IPOA to provide updates on the progress of investigations within a week.
