As Kenya braces for nationwide Gen Z-led protests scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) has issued a stern warning to officers against the reckless use of firearms during demonstrations. The warning comes amid mounting public anger over police brutality, including the recent shooting of a Nairobi street vendor, which has reignited debate over excessive force.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Monday, June 23, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said police officers found violating firearm use protocols will face severe legal consequences. He confirmed that disciplinary and legal action had already been initiated against the two officers linked to the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor shot in the head during anti-government protests on Tuesday, June 17.
“The police have been trained on how to use a firearm in accordance with the law. The incident involving the shooting of the hawker was completely unjustified,” said Nyaga.
“We’ve already taken the two officers to court. This will serve as a warning to others who might misuse their weapons.”
Legal Limits on Use of Firearms
Under Section 61(2) of the National Police Service Act, police in Kenya are only permitted to use firearms under specific, high-risk circumstances—such as defending against imminent threats to life, serious injury, or to prevent the escape of a felon. The law explicitly prohibits the use of firearms to disperse assemblies or protests, except as a last resort when all other methods have failed and there is a direct threat to life.
Echoing the law, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also issued guidelines stating:
“A police officer may use a firearm only when all other means have proven inadequate and only to save or protect life… in self-defense or defense of another person against an imminent threat.”
Boniface Kariuki Shooting Sparks Public Outrage
The cautionary statement from NPS comes just days after Boniface Kariuki, a hawker selling face masks, was shot during demonstrations along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District. According to eyewitnesses and medical reports, Kariuki was struck in the head by a rubber bullet fired at close range by a police officer.
Kariuki was rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he remains hospitalized and under intensive care. Medical professionals have confirmed that the rubber bullet caused significant trauma to the upper part of his head, prompting a surge of condemnation on social media and from human rights groups.
“Personally, when I saw the video of the incident, I was deeply disturbed. That’s not how a trained officer should behave,” said Nyaga.
The two officers involved—Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono, both attached to Kileleshwa Police Station—have been positively identified and are now facing legal prosecution for the incident.
Kenyatta National Hospital Confirms Protest Casualties
In a separate statement released by KNH on Wednesday, June 18, the hospital confirmed that 16 individuals were treated for various injuries sustained during the June 17 protests, including gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma.
While Kariuki remains the most high-profile case, KNH’s report underlines the broader scale of police violence during the recent demonstrations, many of which were organized peacefully by Kenya’s youth to demand accountability, economic justice, and reforms.
June 25 Gen Z Protest Plans Proceed Despite Crackdown
Despite the recent police clampdown, organizers of the upcoming June 25 Gen Z protests have vowed to continue with demonstrations across multiple cities, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. The protests, dubbed #GenZUprising, are intended to honor victims of police brutality and highlight growing frustrations over unemployment, inflation, and governance issues.
Civil society organizations and lawyers have called on the government to respect the right to peaceful assembly and to refrain from deploying excessive force during the protests.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to protest. What we are witnessing is an abuse of power and a disregard for life,” said human rights lawyer Muthoni Wanjiku.
Police Accountability Under Scrutiny
The shooting of Kariuki is the latest in a string of alleged police abuses that have intensified scrutiny on the National Police Service. The IPOA and various watchdogs have previously documented cases of unlawful killings, torture, and harassment, particularly during public demonstrations.
Pressure is now mounting on the police service to restore public trust by holding rogue officers accountable and demonstrating adherence to constitutional policing standards.
“We are committed to ensuring that our officers operate within the law. Those who break the law will be individually liable,” emphasized Nyaga.
What the Law Says: Key Guidelines on Firearm Use in Kenya
According to Kenyan law and guidelines from IPOA:
- Firearms must be used only as a last resort.
- Officers must issue clear warnings before deploying firearms.
- Any use of force must be proportionate to the threat posed.
- Firearms cannot be used to disperse peaceful protests unless there is an imminent danger to life.
- Officers are personally accountable for every shot fired.
The law further mandates that all police actions involving firearms must be fully documented and subject to independent review.
Public Demands Reforms and Justice
The Kariuki case has become a rallying point for activists and opposition figures, many of whom are now demanding urgent police reforms, enhanced oversight mechanisms, and compensation for victims of police abuse.
As Gen Z prepares to march again on June 25, the stakes for law enforcement, political leaders, and civil society are high. The world will be watching how Kenya navigates this moment—between maintaining order and upholding democratic freedoms.
Conclusion
The National Police Service’s warning to officers ahead of the June 25 protests is both timely and necessary. With the nation still reeling from the harrowing images of Boniface Kariuki’s shooting, there is a clear call for restraint, accountability, and professionalism.
Kenya’s youth have found their voice—and in response, law enforcement must find its humanity and its duty to the Constitution.