There was drama outside Jogoo House in Nairobi on Monday, August 17, as activists staged protests calling for the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over alleged police brutality and recent deaths in custody.
Led by activist Julius Kamau, the protesters gathered outside Jogoo House, with Kamau chaining himself to the gates in a bid to draw attention to their grievances.
Footage obtained by Vantage Ke showed Kamau chained to the gate as a heated confrontation erupted between the activist and police officers.
The protesters also called for accountability over recent reports of abductions and the chaos witnessed in Homa Bay, linking the incidents to broader concerns about police conduct.
By the time of publication, six activists had reportedly been arrested outside Jogoo House as officers moved to prevent the group from addressing the media.
The arrests occurred as the protesters attempted to outline their demands and push for greater accountability within the National Police Service.
The demonstration came amid renewed scrutiny of the National Police Service following Sunday's chaos in Homa Bay, where armed youths disrupted the Linda Mwananchi convoy, attacked members of the public, assaulted journalists and left at least one person reportedly dead.
The Homa Bay incidents have triggered questions over the police response, with critics questioning whether security agencies did enough to prevent the violence and safeguard people participating in the activities.
The activists at Jogoo House also connected the Homa Bay violence to broader concerns surrounding abductions and alleged enforced disappearances, including cases involving Gen-Z protesters. They called for independent investigations into such cases and increased accountability for security agencies accused of violating citizens' rights.
However, demands for Kanja's resignation did not begin with the latest Homa Bay incidents. The Inspector General has previously faced calls to step down following incidents involving alleged police failures to protect citizens during political activities and accusations of police brutality.
In July, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called for Kanja's resignation following violence in Ol Kalou, Nyeri County, where voters and journalists were reportedly attacked. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, however, defended Kanja, maintaining that the Inspector General continued to enjoy public confidence.
Kanja also faced pressure to resign in April following the assault on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu. Western Kenya MPs led by Butere MP Tindi Mwale called for Kanja to be summoned before Parliament and to resign if he could not guarantee the safety of Kenyans.
Monday's protest therefore brought together several grievances that have placed the country's police leadership under pressure, including alleged abductions, deaths in custody, political violence and concerns over the protection of citizens during public events.
At the time of publication, the National Police Service had not issued a statement regarding the protest or the reported arrest of the six activists, leaving the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the police response to the protesters' demands unclear.
