LSK President Faith Odhiambo on June 18, 2025. PHOTO/X/FAITH ODHIAMBO

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned police brutality and rising lawlessness during the protests on June 17, 2025, in Nairobi CBD.

In a statement issued on June 18, LSK expressed alarm over the shooting of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, an unarmed hawker shot by a police officer near Imenti House in Nairobi.

The incident, captured on video, showed the officer shooting Kariuki at point-blank range with LSK saying that the victim was not participating in the protests.

Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital. LSK said they are praying for his full recovery and hope for positive updates from the hospital.

The society described the shooting as premeditated, unjustified, and a violation of the Constitution and the rule of law.

“This is a heinous crime and affront to the constitution that warrants full legal accountability and justice,’’ LSK president Faith Odhiambo said.

LSK accused the police of responding to demands for reform with more violence, killings, and brutality against peaceful demonstrators.

While acknowledging the arrest of the officer, LSK criticised the police for failing to disclose his name, rank, or service number.

“LSK demands that the officer be indicted and prosecuted without delay and treated as the face of impunity within the police service,’’ LSK said.

“His punishment must send a strong message to all officers who violate their constitutional duties.”

In a press conference, LSK also raised concerns over police-backed militia groups involved in the violence.

LSK said they received images of armed gangs harassing citizens and working in coordination with the police.

In one case, Advocate Ken Ochieng witnessed a police Land Cruiser escorting a gang that later attacked him along Koinange Street.

“The attackers, armed with blunt weapons, targeted peaceful citizens and not protestors; they aimed to loot and inflict harm,’’ LSK said.

According to LSK, such goon attacks were organised to intimidate the public and silence protests.

LSK accused police of standing by while gangs looted shops and stole valuables from innocent Kenyans.

“The police are no longer protecting citizens but actively threatening their safety and freedoms,’’ LSK said.

The statement also addressed the arrest of four human rights defenders in Mombasa—Francis Auma, Walid Sketty, Mugambi, and Batulie Swale.

The four were charged with unlawful assembly and assault, but LSK said they were peacefully participating in the protest.

Batulie Swale was allegedly assaulted by a police officer before being violently arrested and bundled into a police vehicle.

She posed no immediate threat, and her treatment was unjustified, LSK said.

LSK said it secured bail for all four activists and will represent them during court proceedings.

“We reaffirmed its call for police reform and full compliance with constitutional and legal standards,’’ LSK said.

“The role of the National Police Service, it stressed, is to uphold the law, not violate it.”