International Justice Mission slams police for Saba Saba violence
By William Muthama, July 8, 2025The International Justice Mission (IJM) has strongly condemned the deadly crackdown on protesters during the Saba Saba demonstrations held on Sunday, July 7, 2025, terming the violence a gross violation of constitutional rights.
In a hard-hitting statement released on Tuesday, July 8, the rights group said more than 15 people were killed during the nationwide protests, including 12-year-old Bridget Njoki, who was fatally shot while watching television at her home in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.
“We strongly condemn these killings and are alarmed by the growing death toll during protests,” IJM said, decrying the “indiscriminate use of firearms and excessive force” by the National Police Service (NPS).
The organisation described the killings, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and destruction of property as a “deeply troubling pattern of human rights violations occurring in full view of the state.”
IJM cited disturbing trends over the past three years, with over 140 Kenyans reportedly killed while exercising their constitutional right to protest, including 45 deaths during the 2023 Maandamano demonstrations, 60 in the 2024 Gen Z protests, and 20 more on June 25, 2025, during a memorial procession.
“These violations are an affront to our constitutional order and a blatant attack on democratic institutions,” the statement read.
The rights group also condemned police for targeting journalists covering the protests, saying reporters were “assaulted and had their equipment destroyed,” an attack on both individuals and press freedom.
In its call to action, IJM urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to swiftly investigate and prosecute all perpetrators of human rights abuses. “It is deeply concerning that many of these incidents remain uninvestigated.”
The group also called attention to the July 6 attack on Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices, where women attending a press briefing were “beaten and robbed of their valuables” by hired thugs. IJM labelled the incident “a stark reminder of the shrinking civic space in Kenya.”
The statement ends with a demand for justice, protection of peaceful protesters, and full adherence to Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.