The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a strong warning to officers nationwide against the unlawful use of firearms during the upcoming public demonstrations set for Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Speaking in a radio interview on Monday, June 23, NPS Spokesperson Michael Muchiri made it clear that any officer who fires a weapon outside legal boundaries will face individual accountability and legal consequences.
The warning comes as youth-led groups and opposition leaders prepare for countrywide protests to mark the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
“The police are trained on when and how to use a firearm. What we’ve witnessed in some cases is completely out of order,” Muchiri said, referring to the June 17 shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, in downtown Nairobi.
Muchiri confirmed that the two officers implicated in Kariuki’s shooting have already been taken to court. “This must serve as a warning to others,” he emphasized.
He further reaffirmed that Kenyan law permits police officers to use firearms only in situations involving an immediate threat to life or serious injury.
“When I saw the video of that shooting, I was shocked. That’s not the Kenya Police Service we are building,” Muchiri added.
Kariuki, who sustained a severe head injury from a rubber bullet remains hospitalized at Kenyatta National Hospital. A hospital report revealed that 16 other protest-related victims have also been treated for gunshot wounds and blunt force injuries.
As the June 25 protests draw near, which have been framed as a peaceful day of resistance and remembrance for victims of police brutality, Muchiri assured the public that officers have been briefed to prioritize safety and professionalism.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda also confirmed that security teams will be deployed across key locations to maintain law and order and safeguard both demonstrators and non-protesters throughout the day.
