Episode 1: Police beat and left me for dead
On June 12, 2024, during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Kisumu, 16-year-old Brian Amoit’s life took a tragic turn. Sent by his mother to buy maize flour near their home in Obunga, he was confronted by a group of anti-riot police officers. Despite having done nothing wrong, they mercilessly beat him, leaving him unconscious.
Brian woke up three weeks later at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, struggling with memory lapses and concentration issues that have severely affected his education. His mother, Emily Anyolo Rapundo, a widow, now faces the overwhelming burden of raising KSh. 80,000 for his urgent brain surgery.
Brian’s story is a chilling reminder of the unchecked police brutality targeting innocent Kenyans. As his mother fights for his recovery and justice, we must ask: How many more lives must be destroyed before change happens?
Trailer
We have followed a survivor-centred methodology to document and share the real accounts of police abuses during the 2024 Gen Z protests—just a sample of the many incidents we could capture. Every survivor whose story appears here gave full consent, and we engaged with them in line with the highest ethical standards, ensuring a “do no harm” approach.
For us, this documentation is about more than just recording violations—it is about upholding human dignity. We worked closely with survivors and families of victims, prioritizing their voices, agency, and well-being. Our aim was to make this process as empowering as possible while mitigating risks of harm and re-traumatization. Beyond storytelling, we also facilitated access to psychosocial support and independent investigative institutions to address survivors’ ongoing needs.
Many of those we spoke to wanted their stories told—not just for justice but to inspire courage and resilience in others. They wanted to be heard, not as passive victims, but as actors and decision-makers shaping the conversation on police accountability. Through their words, they challenge duty bearers and the country at large to reckon with the realities of violent policing.
We honour the courage of every survivor who shared their experience with us. Their testimonies are a powerful reminder that police abuse is not just about numbers or statistics—it is about real lives, real people.
As part of the Protect the Protest campaign, Amnesty International Kenya continues to observe, monitor, and document violent policing of assemblies. The struggle for justice is ongoing, and these stories must not be forgotten.
