Nairobi Residents Face Heightened Risk of Police Shootings, Study Finds

A recent report by human rights organizations confirms a surge in police violence in Kenya, particularly in the capital city of Nairobi.

The "Missing Voices 2023 Report" reveals a disturbing trend of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances by law enforcement officers with Nairobi emerging as the epicentre of this issue. The report highlights a disproportionate number of fatalities at the hands of police in the capital, with 46 victims compared to just 9 in Kisumu, the second-highest county. While Kisumu's figures were influenced by protests, Nairobi consistently witnesses a majority of such cases thus raising serious concerns about police impunity.

Counties like Kisii, Migori, Machakos, and Nakuru all reported multiple incidents of police violence. Even seemingly less affected areas like Busia, Kiambu, and Makueni haven't been spared. The circumstances surrounding these fatalities are particularly troubling with most killings occurring during police operations aimed at curbing crime, with 58 deaths reported in 2023 compared to 91 in 2022. While this suggests a positive trend, it still reflects a concerning use of lethal force.

The report also sheds light on a concerning shift in tactics. Anti-riot killings surged in 2023 due to protests against the Finance Bill, suggesting a preference for lethal force over crowd control techniques. Conversely, killings linked to counter-terrorism operations witnessed a significant drop from 18 in 2022 to just 1 in 2023. The most concerning aspect is the number of unidentified victims with the report revealing a pattern of police using lethal force against suspected criminals despite little effort to identify them. This raises serious questions about accountability and due process.

The report documents a 9.2% decrease in extrajudicial killings and a 54.5% drop in enforced disappearances compared to 2022. The "Missing Voices" initiative documents 118 killings and 10 disappearances in 2023, highlighting the persistence of the issue. While President William Ruto has pledged to address police violence, the report spotlights the lack of police accountability and the continued fight for justice.