LSK Demands Accountability Over Extrajudicial Killings in Kenya

 

By Jared Otieno

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a scathing statement calling for immediate accountability and comprehensive investigations into the brutal killing of Kenyan civilians by members of the National Security Organs.

Citing constitutional violations and a worrying culture of impunity, the LSK condemned what it termed a systemic failure to uphold the right to life as enshrined under Article 26 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

In the wake of a chilling BBC Africa Eye investigative documentary aired on April 27, 2025, the LSK expressed deep concern over the revelations that unarmed, young Kenyans were executed for simply expressing dissent against the government. “It is a grueling indictment of our national security apparatus that those mandated to protect life have become its greatest threat,” the Society stated.

A Legacy of Violence and Impunity

Extrajudicial killings, historically associated with Kenya’s era of political repression, appear to be resurging despite constitutional reforms aimed at curbing state-sponsored violence. According to the LSK, the events of the past two years—including the recent killing of six peaceful demonstrators in Angata Barrikoi, Kilgoris—highlight an alarming return to rogue policing.

“These are not isolated incidents,” the statement read. “They are a disturbing pattern of contempt for the rule of law and the sanctity of life. The security organs seem to have forgotten that their allegiance is to the nation and Constitution—not regimes or leaders.”

The Angata Barrikoi killings occurred on April 28, 2025, when residents protesting alleged land dispossession were met with fatal police force. The LSK condemned the incident as “cold-blooded murder” and called for urgent prosecution of the officers involved.

Political Leadership Under Fire

LSK’s rebuke extended to members of the political class who have downplayed or dismissed the gravity of these incidents. The Society cited comments by Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi, who urged the nation to “move on” from the killings, and Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma, who accused the BBC of spreading misinformation and called for a ban on its broadcasts.

“These remarks are not only insensitive—they betray the public trust and constitutional obligations bestowed upon elected officials,” the Society said. “They reflect a disturbing willingness to shield impunity rather than seek justice.”

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie was also called out for suggesting, without evidence, that the BBC investigation was financed by foreign actors with economic interests in Kenya. LSK warned that such conspiracy-driven rhetoric discredits Parliament and erodes its credibility.

Institutional Accountability and Legal Reforms

The Society further criticized the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for failing to act with urgency. Of the 60 cases of police brutality reported in the past year, only six have been escalated to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the courts.

“In moments like these, complacency is complicity,” the LSK warned. “IPOA’s sluggish response has stretched the patience of Kenyans and now borders on dereliction of duty.”

To restore public trust and uphold the rule of law, the Law Society issued a list of demands, including:

1. Escalation of investigations into mass killings during past demonstrations by the National Police Service Commission and IPOA;
2. Immediate identification and prosecution of officers captured in media footage committing acts of violence or extrajudicial executions;
3. A directive from the National Security Council instructing investigative agencies to probe historical extrajudicial killings;
4. Full public disclosure of all investigations and protection for victims and witnesses under the Victims Protection Act.

The Society emphasized that legal protections for public officers apply only to actions carried out in good conscience and within the law. Acts of violence, cover-ups, and justifications for illegal killings fall outside these protections.

A Call for a National Reckoning

As tensions between the public and security organs mount, the LSK warned that Kenya’s democracy and constitutional order hang in the balance. The Society called on all citizens, especially those in leadership, to act with urgency and integrity to end the cycle of state violence.

“This is a defining moment,” the LSK concluded. “If we fail to address these atrocities now, we risk normalizing impunity and undermining the very foundation of our republic.”