NAIROBI, Tuesday, May 19, 2026: The Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group express grave concern over the violence witnessed yesterday amid the ongoing stay-away and economic boycott over rising fuel costs. At least four deaths have been reported. We call on all actors, especially the National Police Service and the Executive, to maintain maximum restraint, uphold the Constitution, and protect the right to peaceful assembly, association, and expression as a solution is found to the rising fuel prices. We call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate the killings and allegations that police officers are being intimidated to prefer unlawful charges.

We condemn the arbitrary arrest, detention, and hospitalization of Nairobi Central Station Police Commander, Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, following his lawful decision to release sixty-four protesters on police bond yesterday. The power to grant a police bond is grounded in Kenya’s legal and constitutional framework. Criminalising the exercise of this discretion undermines the rule of law. It chills professional judgment within the police service and signals unlawful interference in operational independence. Reports that the arrest was carried out on “orders from above” heighten concerns about politicised policing and command abuse.

The narrative of “economic sabotage” by senior police officers towards the other protesters and boycott organisers is far-fetched and disproportionate. The stay away and withdrawal of services was called by private transport operators to protest the excessive fuel price hikes. This is in line with a free economy. Attempting to charge spokespersons for the transport industry with “economic sabotage” will be an abuse of office. We call on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to independently, strictly, and fairly apply the decision to charge.

We urge the immediate safeguarding of all persons arrested, including Chief Inspector Angoya’s rights, including access to legal counsel, medical care, and due process, and call for their unconditional release unless lawfully charged based on credible evidence. At this critical moment, the National Police Service and the Executive must act strictly within the law, adhere to the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability, and avoid excessive use of force. 

We continue to stand in solidarity and urge all Kenyans to exercise their rights peacefully. Further, we reaffirm that institutional independence, due process, and human rights must remain the cornerstone of public order management.

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Ends

For more information and interviews, contact Mathias T. Kinyoda

Mobile: +254723424802 | Email: mathias.kinyoda@amnesty.or.ke

Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

This statement is signed by the Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include:  Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).