IPOA Report Exposes 65 Protester Deaths by Masked Officers Using Live Rounds, Calls for Urgent Reforms

NAIROBI, July 26, 2025 — The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has released a comprehensive report on nationwide protests held between June and July 2025, revealing that 65 civilians lost their lives, many as a result of live ammunition fired by masked police officers operating without identification. IPOA is now calling on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute officers involved, and is demanding sweeping reforms to prevent recurrence.

⚠️ Key Findings from IPOA’s Investigation

1. Live rounds deployed by masked officers: IPOA documented multiple incidents where masked personnel—many lacking name tags or badge numbers—used live ammunition disproportionately during protests.

2. 65 deaths, 342 injured: The report confirms 65 fatalities during demonstrations held on June 12, June 17, June 25, and July 7—many resulting from gunshot wounds. A further 342 people were injured, including both protesters and officers.

3. Tampered CCTV footage: In one case at Nairobi Police Station following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, cameras were deliberately tampered with—raising suspicions of an attempted cover-up.

4. Broader violations observed: Beyond lethal force, IPOA identified failures in de-escalation, absence of command accountability, and non-compliance with court rulings restricting force deployment.

🧭 Calls for Prosecution and Reform

• IPOA Chair Issack Hassan stated that violations included “use of disproportionate force, lack of professionalism, and failure to uphold constitutional standards.” The body formally recommended prosecutions for those implicated.

• The report highlights ongoing disregard for FIDA Kenya’s advisory which forbade the use of live rounds, rubber bullets, and water cannons on peaceful protesters.

🧩 Context: From Ojwang’s Death to Saba Saba Clashes

Protests were triggered by the death of teacher–blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died in police custody in early June—an autopsy later concluded his death resulted from physical assault inside a Nairobi cell. His demise prompted youth-led protests in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kilifi.

The first major demonstrations occurred on June 12 and June 17, followed by commemorative protests on June 25 and Saba Saba Day on July 7—the latter resulting in over 11 more deaths, dozens of injuries, and widespread arrests across several counties.

✓ Why This Report Matters

• Oversight legitimacy: IPOA, a parliamentary body tasked with civilian policing oversight, reinforces democratic accountability amid rising demands for justice.

• Police transparency crisis: The failure of officers to display identification compounds the erosion of public trust and fuels accusations of impunity.

• Legal urgency: IPOA’s call for prosecutions now places the DPP at center stage. The effectiveness of Kenya’s legal system will be tested in holding individuals accountable for protest‑related deaths.

• Systemic reform needed: Emphasized needs include enforcing name‑tag visibility, improving de-escalation training, honoring court rulings on protest policing, and restricting lethal weapon use to emergencies.

📌 Snapshot Table

Bottom line: IPOA’s updating nails the scale of excessive force used in recent protests—and presses for judicial action and policing reforms. As Kenya grapples with deep-rooted discontent and democratic expectations, the report’s impact on accountability and future protest management will be decisive.