On 18th June, 2024, a previously little-mentioned movement – Gen Z – caught Kenya by storm after staging anti-Government street protests.

The protesters were largely fired up because Parliament had voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 , which among other issues imposed higher taxes, and the President had gone ahead to assent to it.

Protests took place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the preceding weeks in many parts of the country, especially at the capital Nairobi and other urban centres.

During the demonstrations the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) invoked a provision of its constitutive Act that demands that police operations that affect members of the public are monitored.

Further to our previous statements and our commitment to give periodic updates on the ongoing demonstrations , the Authority takes this opportunity to share the progress made in its monitoring and investigations in line with its mandate.

– IPOA Chairperson Mrs. Anne Makori, July 2, 2024

By July 3, 2024, IPOA had monitored five such protest marches and observed loss of lives, injuries to demonstrators and police alike, looting and wanton destruction of State and private properties.

IPOA Chairperson Mrs. Anne Makori updated the country on the monitoring exercises and released a preliminary report.

“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has launched investigations into various incidents that have occurred in parts of the country, during the mass protests that have pitted the police against members of the public demonstrating against enactment of the Finance Bill, 2024,” she said in a statement.

Thirty-nine (39) deaths, 150 injuries and 7 abductions were recorded across the country.

All incidents are under active investigations.

The Chairperson revealed some of the cases documented so far and the details of what investigators had gathered by Tuesday, July 2, 2024 are listed below. Click the pointers for details.

Investigations Into The Death Of Mr. Rex Kanyike Masai

The Authority launched investigations into the death of Mr. Masai which was allegedly caused by police shooting by an officer clad in civilian attire at around 0715hrs on 20th June, 2024 in Nairobi County. Towards this, IPOA has made significant investigative strides as follows:

  1. Attended the post-mortem and obtained the report on cause of death on 21st June, 2024.
  2. Recorded witness statements.
  3. Visited and documented the crime scene including collection of evidence.
  4. Analysed CCTV and other video footage of the incident.
  5. Obtained necessary Police documents.
  6. Obtained necessary medical documents.
  7. Has summoned various officers to record statements.
  8. Submitted Various samples for forensic and ballistics analysis

Pending Tasks: Obtaining expert reports, and recording more witness accounts.

Investigations Into The Death Of Mr. Evans Kiratu

The Authority launched investigations into the death of Mr. Evans Kiratu on 21st June, 2024 at the Kenyatta National Hospital which is alleged to have been caused by police action. Mr. Kiratu was among youth demonstrating within the Nairobi CBD on 20th June, 2024. Towards this, IPOA has made the following steps:

  1. Attended the post-mortem and obtained the report on cause of death on 25th June, 2024.
  2. Visited and documented the crime scene including collection of necessary forensic evidence.
  3. Recorded some witness statements .
  4. Contacted the Police for necessary documentation.
  5. Police summons issued for statement recording.
  6. Pending Tasks: Obtaining expert reports, and recording more witness accounts.

Pending Tasks: Obtaining expert reports, and recording more witness accounts.

Fatal Shooting In Nairobi CBD Including Parliament Grounds

IPOA launched investigations into the fatal shooting and serious injury of protestors following demonstrations in the Nairobi CBD including the National Assembly on 25th June 2024. Arising from this, a total of 11 deaths have been confirmed and their bodies taken to KNH and city morgue. Towards this, IPOA has made the following steps:

  1. Requests made for relevant police documentation
  2. Critical witness accounts recorded
  3. Issued summons for Police Officers
  4. Attended post mortem and obtained post-mortem reports for: –
  5. Ibrahim Kamau Wanjiku on 27th June, 2024.
  6. Erickson Kyalo on 28th June, 2024.
  7. David Chege on 28th June, 2024.
  8. Wilson Sitati on 1st July, 2024.
  9. Kelvin Odhiambo Maina on 1st July, 2024 
  10. Kenneth Njeru Mwangi on 1st July, 2024.

Pending Tasks: Post-mortem for four more victims, expert reports, and recording more witness accounts.

Githurai Shooting

IPOA launched investigations into allegations of a shooting in Githurai on the night of 25th June 2024. Police officers from Githurai 44 Police Post had received information from the public that there was a dead person (Andrew Mwawasi) lying at Kenya Mpya stage which they transported to the City Mortuary. Separately, a 5-year-old boy (Gianna Merkel Obonyo) with a bullet lodged in his chest was discovered and taken to KNH hospital and has since been treated and discharged. Towards this, IPOA has made the following steps:

  1. Attended the post-mortem for Andrew Mwawasi and obtained the PM report.
  2. Recorded some witness statements.
  3. Crime scene visited and documented.
  4. Requisitioned for police documentation.
  5. Medical documents for Gianna Merkel Obonyo requested.
Fatal Shooting Of Kennedy Onyango In Kajiado County

Upon receiving a police notification of the death of 12-year-old Master Kennedy Onyango on 27th June 2024 at Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County, IPOA launched investigations to establish the facts around the fatal shooting. Accordingly, IPOA attended the post-mortem.

Do you have any videographic or photographic materials on the protests? Share through https://forms.gle/atyrL593UmyVx1WFA . Members of the public are also urged to visit IPOA offices and provide witness accounts.

Property destroyed included, the National Assembly, Supreme Court building, City Hall, Uganda House, Safaricom shop Kenyatta Avenue, Police premises, firearms and vehicles, Embu and Machakos county assemblies as well as private businesses and property.

“IPOA assures Kenyans and the police of its intention to continue monitoring and documenting how the police conduct themselves during these and future demonstrations with a view to hold them to account for their actions as provided for by the law,” added Mrs. Makori.

Call us if you have any information that would hasten investigation into any of the incidents we have undertaken

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