The Kenya Human Rights Commission has demanded the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, citing his inability to curb a deepening “culture of impunity” within the service.
The commission has also urged the ODPP to prosecute officers responsible for a series of fatal shootings within seven days, or face private legal action.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the human rights watchdog detailed what it described as a systematic failure of the National Police Service to protect citizens, highlighting a string of fatalities that have occurred since the start of the year.
The statement follows the killing of Sharon Adhiambo, a first-year medical training student, by police in Nairobi’s Huruma estate on 7 February. Her death marks the seventh documented fatal police shooting since the start of the year, according to Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) records.
“The Kenya Human Rights Commission condemns this killing,” the statement stated.
The commission’s chronology of violence begins with the killing of 14-year-old Dennis Ringa in Mombasa on New Year’s Day.
The pattern continued with the deaths of 20-year-old Shukri Adan in Nairobi on January 11, George Matheri in Nyeri on January 18, and Godfrey Muyonga and Benedict Isiakali in Kakamega a day later.
On February 1, two more men — James Maina and Daniel Njoki — were killed in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
“KHRC has also documented multiple cases of injury resulting from police brutality.
On January 10, police officers in Nandi attacked and injured youths who were playing pool.
Three days later, police brutally assaulted Francis Nzau in Kahawa West, Nairobi. On January 20, police shot and injured a man in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi, during protests over demolitions.”
The commission said despite constitutional safeguards, the police have consistently bypassed the rule of law in favour of lethal force.
“Articles 29 and 244 of the Constitution impose an obligation on police officers to discharge their duties in a professional manner, with due regard to human rights and the rule of law,” the KHRC noted.
“However, based on the evidence, they have violated constitutional provisions, including the right to life as enshrined under Article 25.”
While acknowledging investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the agency expressed dissatisfaction with their progress, warning the slow pace perpetuates injustice and denies accountability to victims’ families.
“KHRC demands the immediate resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja in light of his failure to stop systemic abuse and end a culture of impunity," the statement said.
"KHRC further calls for the arrest and prosecution of all culpable officers who pulled the trigger or brutalised victims. The same accountability must extend to police commanders under whose watch these crimes occurred.”
The human rights organisation also set a tight deadline for state-led action.
“Additionally, KHRC gives Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga seven days to institute proceedings against the culpable officers, failing which KHRC will pursue a private prosecution,” the statement warned.
Instant analysis
The KHRC’s stark ultimatum injects fresh urgency into a long-standing national debate on police reform and extrajudicial killings. It places immense pressure on the ODPP to demonstrate its independence and on the police service to address accusations of institutionalised violence. The coming week will test the state’s commitment to constitutional obligations and the power of civil society to enforce accountability when official channels are seen to falter.
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