Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemns use of armed goons to harass and disrupt peaceful protestors
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19 – The Law Society of Kenya has called out police and armed goons following nationwide demonstrations on 17th June 2025, demanding justice over the murder of Mr. Albert Ojwang while in police custody they noted with great exception the cut-throat violence that was meted out against demonstrators by both the Police and armed goons purporting to be a vigilante group ‘defending Nairobi City.
LSK led by President Faith Odhiambo while addressing the media said they have received and reviewed multiple images of rogue gang walking and working hand-in-hand with the police to harass citizens and deprive them of their rights.
“We are exasperated by videos showing an attack by the criminal gang on an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, who was on his way to a meeting with a client Mr. Ken Ochieng has confirmed that he witnessed the crowd of goons who descended on him being dropped off along Koinange Street by a Police Landcruiser, escorted by several bodaboda’s carrying multiple armed pillion passengers”, said Ms Odhiambo.
They highlighted that the attackers who were all armed with blunt objects were not part of the protestors who were peaceful and did not interfere or engage with any person not taking part in the demonstrations.
“It is an anarchical act of impunity that goons can be deployed as a tool of repression against people expressing their democratic, constitutional rights”, She added.
Additionally, they expressed concern that police instead of upholding law and order, watched on and even participated in the thuggery with images captured showed police officers looting and making away with laptops from shops broken into by the goons.
“Sadly, those whom the people of Kenya have entrusted to protect their lives and property are at the heart of undermining the safety and security of Kenyans”.
Furthermore, during the protests the Law Society of Kenya responded to calls from protestors who were arrested across the country and lawyers were stationed at various police stations to provide assistance to peaceful protestors who were apprehended by Police.
LSk noted that they maintain resounding call for police reforms and strict compliance with the rule of law and clear constitutional and statutory standards set for our National Security Organs.
“We reiterate that the role of the National Police Service is to maintain law and order, not perpetrate lawlessness; and their solemn duty is to protect and preserve life, not cut it short on whim and malice”, they added.
They further call upon the National Security Council to order the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Police Oversight Authority to conduct an immediate inquiry into all complaints of excessive force and extrajudicial killings by Police officers
“We demand that there be a declaration of all victims of police brutality and extrajudicial killings from the Independent Police Oversight Authority, and an update be made to Kenyans on the status of all investigations that have been done over the past year”.
Health institutions, led by the Kenyatta National Hospital have been encouraged to review and develop their victim reporting processes to ensure maximum transparency and disclosure of information to the Public.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has been called to mount formidable charges against and undertake swift prosecution of all police officers implicated in cases of extrajudicial killings.
LSK further noted that the historic delays in prosecuting police officers undermines justice, and often gives room for the cases against criminals in uniform being compromised highlighting that there must be a paradigm shift, and all cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings must be prosecuted as a matter of priority as they constitute matters of National security which impact our sovereignty as a nation.
“We are prepared to offer our support to all investigations and complaints relating to the conduct and misconduct of police”.
