NAIROBI, KENYA – In a significant admission, Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, has stated that police officers should have performed much better during the deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. This acknowledgment marks a notable shift from the defensive posture held by security services during and immediately after the youth-led demonstrations that convulsed the nation.

Appearing before the National Assembly's Administration and Internal Affairs Committee on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Kanja conceded there were operational flaws. While he did not detail the specific shortcomings, his statement lends official weight to extensive reports by human rights organizations and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) which documented widespread police misconduct, including the use of excessive and lethal force against largely peaceful protesters.

A Reckoning with a Violent Past

The protests, which began in June 2024, were sparked by public anger over proposed tax hikes in the Finance Bill 2024. The demonstrations, largely organized by Kenyan youth known as 'Gen Z', started peacefully but escalated dramatically on June 25, 2024, when protesters breached the National Assembly buildings. The police response was severe, involving tear gas, water cannons, and, in numerous documented cases, live ammunition.

The human cost was staggering. While IG Kanja reported 42 civilian fatalities to the parliamentary committee, this figure is contested. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported that at least 60 people were killed during the protests in June and July 2024. Amnesty International has also cited a figure of 60 deaths resulting from excessive police force. Additionally, KNCHR documented 1,376 arbitrary arrests and 610 injuries during the same period. A subsequent report from Amnesty International, covering protests into 2025, estimated a total of 128 deaths and over 83 enforced disappearances.

In a September 2024 report, IPOA noted that police were ill-equipped and unprepared for the scale of the Gen-Z protests, which contributed to the high number of deaths and injuries. The oversight body also observed that some officers concealed their badges and used unmarked vehicles, undermining transparency and accountability.

Calls for Accountability and Justice

Kanja's admission comes amid sustained pressure for accountability from civil society and victims' families. In October 2024, the Senate passed a motion ordering the Inspector General to formally apologize to Kenyans for the deaths and to compensate victims of police brutality from the 2023-2024 period. Human rights groups have consistently condemned the police actions as a flagrant violation of Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration.

Despite the IG's recent comments, his previous statements have been more defensive. During his parliamentary vetting in August 2024, Kanja vowed to use all means necessary to protect government buildings, stating that while protesters had a right to demonstrate peacefully, they could not be allowed to destroy property. At that time, he deflected questions on brutality, noting that IPOA was mandated to investigate such incidents.

The path to justice remains fraught with challenges. Kanja also informed the committee that of 57 abduction cases reported since June 2024, the whereabouts of 29 people remain unknown. This aligns with reports from KNCHR and Amnesty International, which have highlighted a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances targeting activists. While Kanja stated that one police officer had been charged in connection with an abduction and ransom demand, broader accountability for the killings and injuries remains elusive.

Implications for Police Reform

The Inspector General's acknowledgment of failure, however belated, is a critical step. For many Kenyans, particularly the youth who were at the forefront of the protests, it is a validation of their grievances against a police service long accused of impunity. The focus now shifts to what tangible actions will follow these words. IPOA has recommended that the Inspector General must facilitate lawful protests without interference in the future and ensure all deaths and serious injuries are reported for independent investigation.

As Kenya grapples with the legacy of the 2024 protests, the admission of shortcomings by the nation's top police officer puts the onus squarely on the government and its security apparatus to implement meaningful reforms. These include revised operating procedures for managing demonstrations, ensuring individual officer accountability, and rebuilding the shattered public trust. The ultimate test will be whether this acknowledgment translates into justice for the victims and a fundamental change in how the state responds to dissent.