By Editor.
Nairobi, June 18 — The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the police and armed gangs for unleashing violence on peaceful demonstrators during the June 17 nationwide protests, sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the society was deeply disturbed by the conduct of officers and rogue groups who attacked civilians under the watch and in some cases, protection of the police.
The society cited shocking footage of an Advocate of the High Court, Mr. Ken Ochieng, being attacked by a gang allegedly dropped off by a police vehicle along Koinange Street. Odhiambo said the attackers were armed, coordinated, and not part of the peaceful protestors.
“Police officers were not only passive spectators but actively participated in looting shops and assaulting Kenyans,” Odhiambo stated.
In Nairobi, an officer was caught on camera shooting an unarmed hawker at close range. The victim, who was not part of the protests, remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital. LSK called the shooting premeditated and demanded swift prosecution.
“A simple statement from the National Police Service is not enough. The officer must be named, charged, and punished,” Odhiambo said.
Across the country, the protests left 17 people injured. In Mombasa, four activists were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly. One of them, Ms. Batulie Swale, was reportedly assaulted by an officer before being violently arrested. LSK lawyers secured their release and pledged legal support throughout the trial.
LSK called the actions of police and criminal gangs “anarchical” and warned that the National Police Service is risking total public distrust. The organization urged immediate reforms and accountability from all security agencies.
Among its demands, LSK called on:
- The National Security Council to order an inquiry into all recent cases of excessive force,
- IPOA to publicly declare victims of police brutality and share progress on investigations,
- Health institutions to improve reporting on victims of police violence,
- And the Director of Public Prosecutions to speed up prosecutions of implicated officers.
Odhiambo affirmed LSK’s readiness to support all investigations and emphasized the need to protect Kenya’s constitutional values.
“We must remain true to our Constitution. The police must serve to protect life—not to end it,” she said. “May justice be our shield and defender.”
