The Finnish embassy in Nairobi has condemned the violence meted out on protesters on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in the streets of Nairobi.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the Finnish embassy stated that Finland was deeply disturbed by the level of violence against unarmed citizens seen during the protests.

“Police forces must command the trust and confidence of those they are duty-bound to serve & protect. We are deeply disturbed by violence against unarmed civilians and protestors yesterday,” the embassy said.

Speedy investigation

The embassy equally called for a speedy investigation into the actions of police officers involved, sending messages of goodwill to those injured during the demos.

“We urge a swift, independent and transparent investigation into the actions of the police. We send our best wishes for the swift recovery of those injured during yesterday’s violence,” the embassy noted.

The statement comes just hours after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Finland, just a month after Stubb made his maiden trip as a sitting Finland president to travel to Kenya.

Mudavadi noted that their engagement was focused on how to sustain momentum behind Somalia’s peacebuilding process.

“Our conversation focused on the shifting security landscape in Africa, with a particular lens on developments in the Horn of Africa. We underscored the critical need to sustain international momentum behind Somalia’s peacebuilding process, especially in light of the ongoing ATMIS drawdown and heightened regional sensitivities,” Mudavadi said.

Infiltration by goons

During the June 17, 2025, protests, police officers worked alongside hired goons sent to deter legitimate protesters from marching along the city streets.

A section of the goons was caught on camera robbing members of the public while armed with batons and whips. The goons were ferried to the CBD by motorcycles, according to a statement by the KNCHR.

“A key highlight in today’s protests in Nairobi was the massive deployment of masked hired goons in motorbikes who patrolled the streets as they brutalised the protestors and innocent Wananchi with tyre whips, wooden bars and other crude weapons,” the commission noted.

“The Commission witnessed hordes of thugs viciously attack and rob protestors and other civilians in the streets of Nairobi.”

Two police officers have since been interdicted following the shooting of a mask seller along Moi Avenue. The victim, who has been identified as Boniface Kariuki, is fighting for his life in the ICU at the Kenyatta National Hospital after neurosurgeons recovered a bullet lodged in his brain.