Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for immediate accountability over police killings of peaceful protesters, insisting that justice must take precedence over compensation for victims amid rising concern over deaths linked to law enforcement.
In a strongly worded statement, Sifuna said the loss of life during demonstrations cannot be reduced to financial settlements, arguing that those responsible must first be held to account. “Life is irreplaceable. Accountability for police who kill peaceful protesters must come before any conversation about compensation,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of alarming figures from human rights organisations. Data compiled by groups including Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Missing Voices indicate that in recent protest waves, more than 50 people have been killed during demonstrations.
The same reports point to a broader pattern of abuse, documenting over 30 cases of enforced disappearances allegedly linked to police operations in the past year. In addition, dozens of deaths continue to be reported annually in police custody, with oversight bodies such as Independent Policing Oversight Authority recording at least 20 deaths in police stations within recent reporting periods.
Sifuna emphasized that citizens have a constitutional right to assemble and express dissent without fear of harm. “No one should lose their life while exercising their rights,” he said, framing the issue as a fundamental test of the country’s commitment to the rule of law.
The senator’s comments reflect mounting pressure on the government to address claims of police brutality and ensure transparency in investigations involving security officers. While authorities have often defended police actions as necessary to maintain order, critics argue that accountability mechanisms remain weak, allowing abuses to persist without consequence.
Sifuna’s statement is expected to intensify calls for independent investigations and reforms within the police service, as the debate over public safety and civil liberties continues to shape Kenya’s human rights landscape.
