The death of Eric Otieno has renewed a difficult national conversation on police accountability, with human rights defenders and legal experts demanding that officers implicated in civilian deaths face investigations and prosecution if found culpable.
Lawyer Willis Evans Otieno has joined calls for justice, warning that accountability cannot be achieved through public statements but through transparent investigations and consequences for those found to have abused their authority.
"The killer police responsible for the death of Eric Otieno must be identified, investigated, and, if found responsible through due process, held fully accountable. No one should be above the law," Mr Otieno said.
He added: "Justice for Eric Otieno must not end with promises or public statements. Accountability is essential to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence that every life is protected equally."
The remarks come against the backdrop of growing public anger over cases involving deaths linked to police action, raising fresh questions about whether existing accountability mechanisms are strong enough to deter abuse and protect citizens.
For years, rights organisations have raised concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings, disappearances and excessive use of force by security agencies.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is mandated to investigate deaths and serious injuries resulting from police action, has repeatedly received complaints involving police conduct. The authority says it investigates cases of deaths occurring in police custody or as a result of police action.
Human Rights Watch has previously raised concerns over limited accountability for security force abuses in Kenya, noting that investigations and prosecutions in cases involving excessive and lethal force have often been slow.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and civil society organisations have also consistently called for independent investigations whenever civilians die in circumstances involving security officers.
The debate over police accountability intensified following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, whose death while in police custody sparked national outrage and renewed demands for reform.
Rights groups questioned the circumstances surrounding his death and called for officers involved to be held accountable. The case triggered wider discussions about the safety of citizens in police custody and the need for independent oversight.
The incident became one of the latest reminders of longstanding concerns that victims of alleged police misconduct often wait for years before seeing justice.
Police accountability also came under scrutiny during recent protests, where rights groups accused security agencies of using excessive force.
Human Rights Watch reported that rights organisations documented dozens of deaths linked to police responses during protests between 2023 and 2025, while also criticising the slow pace of investigations and prosecutions.
The concerns have placed pressure on oversight institutions, including IPOA, to move faster in investigating allegations and ensuring that recommendations translate into prosecutions where evidence supports criminal charges.
The missing accountability question
Mr Otieno's call comes at a time when public confidence in policing remains a major concern.
While the National Police Service has repeatedly maintained that officers operate within the law and that individual misconduct should be dealt with through due process, critics argue that accountability must be visible and timely.
The debate has often centred on whether police officers accused of wrongdoing receive the same treatment as ordinary citizens.
Human rights groups have argued that failure to hold officers accountable creates a culture of impunity and weakens public trust in security institutions.
Under Kenya's legal framework, IPOA has the mandate to investigate police misconduct, including deaths and serious injuries resulting from police action, and recommend appropriate action, including prosecution where necessary.
However, observers say the effectiveness of oversight bodies has been affected by challenges including delays, limited resources and difficulties securing evidence and cooperation during investigations.
