Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has stirred debate with her defence of police officers amid rising tensions ahead of the June 25 anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

Speaking on an interview at a TV station on June 24, 2025, Elachi urged Kenyans to adopt a more balanced view of the police, saying most officers operate under difficult conditions and do not act with malicious intent.

“Not all policemen are bad. In fact, the majority are doing their work under harsh conditions,” she said. “Remember, when you’re pushed to the wall, you’ll always find a way out.”

Elachi’s remarks come as public outrage continues over police conduct during the 2024 protests, which left over 60 people dead and many others injured. Youth across the country have continued to mobilise online, accusing the state of brutality and impunity.

Call for honest dialogue and investigations

However, Elachi suggested that law enforcement officers also face immense pressure, and their actions should be viewed within that context.

“When Kenyans become rogue during demonstrations, what are police officers supposed to do to disperse crowds?” she posed, calling for honest dialogue on how such situations are handled.

She further challenged the objectivity of reports emerging from the protests, calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the deaths. “We need a balanced report from IPOA on the deaths, as some people distort information and create unnecessary anxiety among Kenyans,” she said.

Elachi added that she does not believe officers set out with violent intentions. “I doubt police officers leave home with the intention to kill,” she remarked.

Push for reforms as nation reflects

Her comments follow a string of high-profile cases linked to the 2024 protests, including the death of Albert Ojwang’ in custody and Boniface Kariuki, who remains in critical condition. These incidents have become rallying points in the push for police reforms and greater accountability.

The MP’s remarks align with calls for national reflection rather than further division as Kenya marks one year since the Finance Bill protests rocked the country. Analysts, including those from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), have pointed to a generational shift in civic engagement, with Gen Z using digital platforms to organise and amplify their voices.

As the country prepares for June 25 commemorations, Elachi’s call for empathy and balance adds another voice to the ongoing conversation on protest, policing, and the path forward.