Today, the state deployed vigilante groups to maim protesters demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, following the gruesome murder of schoolteacher Albert Ojwang’, 31.

This tactic, known as informal repression, involves the covert deployment of state-sponsored goons to silence dissent and limit civil liberties. It was linked to the Daniel Moi regime, which violently deployed the method to suppress the vote in opposition strongholds during politically instigated clashes, and targeted pro-democracy activists and politicians in the 1990s.

It also happened under the Mwai Kibaki regime, during the 2007-08 post-election violence, where evidence and reports indicate that elements of the police worked with, enabled, or failed to act against vigilante groups, including “Mungiki,” contributing to the escalation of violence, which left at least 1,300 people dead.

Informal repression also happened last year when the William Ruto regime, again, deployed goons to suppress dissent when Gen Z took to the streets to protest.

Today, the regime deployed this method to dodge scrutiny, escape accountability, and delegitimize the people’s struggle. But evidence places police at the heart and center of this violence, with videos showing police providing escorts and cover to the goons as they unleashed terror on peaceful demonstrators.

According to eyewitnesses and media reports, police shot Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a mask vendor, at close range. The footage is chilling.

As of 4 p.m. today, scores of protesters had been injured in both police and vigilante attacks, many of which were enabled, protected, or directly perpetrated by law enforcement.

Twenty-seven-year-old David Njoroge is now admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital with gunshot wounds to the backside, torso, and the back of his head. Philip Okech, 23, was also shot by police—one bullet tore through his left arm, another struck his neck. He too lies at the national hospital. Another protester, Mohamed, sustained serious injuries to his head and leg from police beatings.

David Njoroge is now admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital with gunshot wounds to the backside, torso, and the back of his head. Photo: Sema Ukweli.

Collins Otieno, 23, was attacked by vigilantes wielding crude weapons as police stood by. Stephen Omondi broke his leg after being run over by a motorcycle operated by hired goons. Simon Simiu was stoned and left with injuries to his right leg.

Meanwhile, in Mombasa, police unlawfully arrested Francis Auma, Walid Said, Batuli Swaleh, and Mugambi Gichunge for demanding the resignation, arrest, and prosecution of DIG Lagat. They also called for the same action against DCI boss Mohamed Amin and Inspector General Douglas Kanja, both of whom have lied under oath about the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s murder. At 5 p.m., the four were still held at Central Police Station in Mombasa.

We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution for murder of the police officer who fatally shot the mask vendor. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, we also demand the resignation and prosecution of IG Kanja for the violence his officers perpetrated—and for his role in covering up Ojwang’s murder. DCI boss Amin must likewise be held accountable for lying under oath.

We further demand the arrest and prosecution of all police officers and political actors who financed, armed, or directed the gangs deployed to terrorize protesters. The vigilantes themselves must be arrested and prosecuted. The state must also de-escalate this violence as Kenyans have the right to dissent.

Finally, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested in Mombasa for demanding justice in the killing of Ojwang’.

Notes

Law enforcement officers arrested Albert Ojwang on June 7 after a complaint from DIG Eliud Lagat. He was taken to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where news of his death broke. Police initially said that Ojwang died from self-inflicted wounds, but were forced to retract the statement after an autopsy found that he likely died from assault wounds.