The Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group have raised concerns over the deployment of armed police officers with concealed identities during the marking of Saba Saba Day.
LSK and PRWG said the government and police breached their legal obligations under Article 37 of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and the Public Order Act.
They raised concerns over heavily armed police units using military-grade weapons while wearing hoods to conceal their identity.
According to them, the groups, traveling in unmarked vehicles, were deployed in violation of court orders.
“It is particularly worrying that these squads and their Subarus were seen in areas like Ngong Town, Kajiado, where the death toll was highest three,” the statement read.
They accused the security forces of using disproportionate force, such as the aggressive use of water cannons in Kitengela and Kikuyu.
The group said that the Kenya Defence Forces were deployed in Kayole and Naivasha.
“The use of lethal and less-lethal force was observed throughout several affected counties,” the statement read.
The joint statement also criticised the lack of protection for protesters and bystanders.
“Tragically, once again, nine families will be receiving the news of the deaths of their loved ones, and others will be receiving others with injuries.”
They condemned the failure of law enforcement to prevent attacks by militia gangs on civilians and businesses.
According to them, the crackdown made access to emergency medical care nearly impossible in the densely populated suburbs of Nairobi.
“Today’s actions contradicted earlier assurances by Interior and Public Service Cabinet Secretaries, who had pledged to facilitate protests and warned civil servants against absenteeism,” the statement read.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights confirmed that at least 10 people were shot dead during the Saba Saba Day demonstrations.
The protests took place in 20 out of the country’s 47 counties, including Nairobi, Kajiado, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, Embu, Kisumu, Kiambu, Meru, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Vihiga, Narok, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, and Kakamega.
The demonstrations marked the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day, a date that symbolizes Kenya’s fight for democracy, civil liberties, and political reform.
On 7 July 1990, thousands of Kenyans marched in six towns to demand multiparty elections and an end to one-party rule.
Monday’s protests were marred by violence, police crackdowns, and road closures.
Several major routes into Nairobi were blocked. Businesses remained shut. Many travellers from Mombasa to Nairobi were left stranded.