Nairobi, 24 June 2025: Amnesty International Kenya takes serious note of mass media reports documenting how violent instigators worked in collusion with or with the consent of police officers during the 17 June protest. The allegations that senior government officials are involved in plans to infiltrate peaceful gatherings and instigate violence must be investigated.
We hold the Inspector General of Police to his promise that tomorrow’s protests will be professionally facilitated, and all parties will be fully protected from instigators and violent hooligans. We reiterate the importance of the Police Reforms Working Group’s public safety and lawful policing guidelines released last week and urge police officers to adhere to the rule of law and maintain non-violence in their conduct.
We also call upon the National Police Services to urgently investigate and take swift legal action against anyone, regardless of rank, found complicit in violating the law during tomorrow’s planned protests.
We call on the Independent Oversight Policing Authority and the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights to closely monitor and hold accountable law enforcement and non-state actors for all crimes that may be committed.
We also urge the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to urgently address divisive and inflammatory rhetoric, promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance of diversity in every facet of our national life.
We will be monitoring tomorrow’s protests alongside others, with a view to pursuing legal redress for any crimes committed. This year’s June 25 protest, led by a few parents of the 65 youths killed last year while opposing the 2024 Finance Bill, must not lead to further harm or loss of life.
Irungu Houghton
Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director
For more information and interviews, contact Mathias T. Kinyoda on Mobile: +254723424802Email: [email protected]