Kenyan Police Accused of Misreporting Deaths During Anti-Government Protests

In July, 19-year-old Charles Owino was fatally shot in the head during anti-government protests near Nairobi, according to an autopsy report reviewed by Reuters. However, his death was officially recorded by Kenyan police as a road accident, his brother revealed, citing morgue logbook entries. Similar discrepancies have emerged in other cases, raising allegations of systematic cover-ups by Kenyan authorities.

Disputed Death Reports

In another case, 21-year-old Shaquille Obienge, who also participated in the protests, died from a gunshot wound to the neck, according to a government autopsy. However, police logged his death as a road accident, his father said. Both incidents occurred in Kitengela, a Nairobi suburb, during the protests.

Two additional deaths reviewed by Reuters revealed similar inconsistencies. Kepher Odiwuor Ouma, 24, was reportedly beaten unconscious by police during a protest on July 3 but was later listed as a victim of “mob justice.” Meanwhile, the battered body of Denzel Omondi, found in a pool of water, was recorded as a drowning, despite autopsy findings of injuries inconsistent with accidental death.

Morgue Records Raise Concerns

Morgue logbooks, which record police-reported causes of death, show a pattern of mischaracterization, according to Reuters' investigation. From June 25 to September 30, during and after the protests, only nine fatalities were attributed to gunshots, a sharp decline from the same period a year earlier. In contrast, deaths attributed to "mob justice" and "drownings" increased significantly.

Amnesty International Kenya’s executive director, Irungu Houghton, suggested these discrepancies may indicate an effort to obscure the true extent of police violence.

Widespread Protests and Alleged Police Brutality

The protests, which began in late June, saw thousands of young Kenyans take to the streets to oppose tax hikes and political corruption. Dubbed the "Gen-Z protests" due to their youthful participants, the demonstrations were met with a heavy-handed police response. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledged that 42 people died during the protests, with some deaths attributed to police actions.

Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have accused authorities of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal detentions during the unrest. Kenya’s National Commission on Human Rights documented 82 enforced disappearances between June and December 2024, compared to nine in the preceding 18 months.

Allegations of a Covert Police Unit

Some abductions and killings have been linked to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) Operation Action Team (OAT), a unit reportedly comprising former members of the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU). The SSU had faced accusations of over 500 extrajudicial killings and numerous enforced disappearances before its dissolution in 2022.

HRW’s associate Africa director, Otsieno Namwaya, stated that OAT has continued the SSU’s practices, citing contacts within the DCI. Kenyan police have not responded to allegations regarding OAT’s activities.

Survivors Speak Out

Victims and their families have reported instances of abduction, torture, and intimidation by security forces. Law student Joshua Okayo described being kidnapped, beaten, and pressured to act as an informant for authorities. Other protesters and politically active individuals have also reported similar experiences, with some remaining missing.

Government and Oversight Silence

The National Police Service and Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have largely remained silent on these allegations. Despite IPOA’s mandate to investigate police misconduct, it has not provided updates on complaints filed during the protests.

In a December speech, President William Ruto acknowledged “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions” by security forces but has yet to address specific allegations. Deputy President Kindiki, who oversaw the police during the protests, defended the use of lethal force in “exceptional circumstances.”

The events surrounding the Gen-Z protests have underscored deep concerns about police accountability in Kenya. Rights groups continue to demand transparency and justice for victims of alleged police violence, as public trust in law enforcement erodes further.