LSK Calls Government to Account for Endless Brutal Extrajudicial Killings

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called the government to account for endless brutal extrajudicial killings of innocent Kenyans by the officers of the National Security Organs.

LSK reiterates that every citizen has the Right to Life as is enshrined and safeguarded under Article 26 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 which advocates for the necessity to preserve the right; not only for its enjoyment by individuals, but because it also bears significant impact on Kenya’s sovereignty.

According to LSK, the brutal killings by state security officers violates the people’s right to life indicating injustice, interference with democracy, and disregard for the rule of law, blaming the government for failing to carry its mandate of protecting its own citizens.

Referencing to the investigative report aired by the BBC Africa Eye on 27th April 2025, LSK describes the excessive forced implied on peaceful protesters in June 25, 2024 as shocking and overflown with impunity and brutality to unarmed young Kenyans who were only exercising their rights.

LSK also referenced the most recent incident where the National Police Service compounded their contempt for the right to life and the rule of law by orchestrating vicious attacks against the residents of Angata Barrikoi, Kilgoris, who were peacefully demonstrating against threats to deprive and dispose them of their property.

“On 28h April 2025, six (6) innocent Kenyans were killed in cold blood at the hands of rogue police officers,” read part of the statement by LSK who strongly condemnsled the act, terming it criminal act.

“For illustration, we are perturbed by the insensitive and thoughtless remarks that have been made by members of the political class in addressing these crucial matters of national security and the state of constitutionalism,” the statement added, pinpointing at some remarks made by the Member of Parliament for Mandera North, Mr. Bashir Abdullahi, while addressing Parliament where he dismissed the
killing of Kenyans and suggested that Kenyans and the world should move on.

However, LSK alleged that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (POA) which is mandated to bring accountability on the sixty (60) cases of police brutality that have been registered with the Authority, could be facing state interference due to the longer period the Authority is taking to address the cases.

“From the face of the update, it appears that several of the cases have been or are currently undergoing investigation. Unfortunately, and for reasons not disclosed by the Authority. Nearly a year later, only six (6) of the investigations have been completed and escalated to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and/or courts,” LSK stated.

In response, LSK has issued a number of recommendations saying the matters requires a collective approach, involving all stakeholders and citizens, further recommending:

1. That the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority escalates the investigations into the mass killings perpetrated by officers during last year’s demonstrations to a priority status, and works to resolve the outstanding cases, both registered and those not registered but within the public domain, within the shortest time practicable.
2. That the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions instructs the Inspector General of the National Police Service to sanction and undertake immediate investigations
   into each of the officers captured and identified in existing images and videos
3. That the National Security Council issues a directive to all investigative agencies within the territory of Kenya to avail all resources and expertise necessary to establish the full extent of historical extrajudicial killings in Kenya. Identify the perpetrators and victims, and take available legal action against or in favour of them
   respectively
4. All documented reports any investigations and inquiries that have been undertaken with respect to historical extrajudicial killings be made public.