Kenya Faces Rising Extra-Judicial Killings Amid Accusations Against Top Leadership

A wave of public outrage has swept across Kenya as President William Ruto and his top security officials face accusations of failing to curb a surge in extra-judicial killings. Constitutional lawyers and human rights groups have pointed fingers at Ruto, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumbwa Murkomen, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, alleging they have neglected their constitutional duty to protect citizens’ lives.

The accusations stem from a damning BBC documentary titled Blood Parliament, which exposed how police and military elements allegedly targeted and shot demonstrators during the Gen Z protests on June 25, 2024. The documentary has fueled public discontent, with many Kenyans expressing shock at the apparent brutality. Further compounding the issue, recent killings in Angata Barikoi, Narok County, have intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of security operations.

“These officials have gravitated towards failing their oath of office,” said a prominent constitutional lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. “The state’s primary role is to protect lives and property, yet we are witnessing brutal killings by men in uniform with no accountability.”

Human rights organizations have echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of fostering a culture of impunity. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that at least 82 people have been abducted by unidentified armed individuals since the start of anti-government protests in June 2024, with 29 still unaccounted for. The group has called for immediate investigations into these incidents and urged President Ruto to honor his earlier pledges to end extra-judicial killings.

In a New Year’s message on December 31, 2024, Ruto acknowledged instances of “excessive and extrajudicial actions” by security forces, assuring the public that “due process is underway to ensure accountability.” However, critics argue that these statements ring hollow, pointing to a lack of concrete action. “The president’s words are not matched by deeds,” said a spokesperson for the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K). “Citizens continue to live in fear of abductions and arbitrary arrests.”

The controversy has also drawn international attention, with organizations like Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission demanding that officers implicated in the Blood Parliament documentary face legal consequences. “The government must uphold the rule of law and ensure justice is served,” said Otsieno Namwaya, East Africa Director for Human Rights Watch.

Adding to the tension, Ruto’s name has been dragged into a separate land dispute in Trans Mara South, Narok County, where six people died in clashes over 6,300 acres of contested land. During a public meeting at Angata Barikoi Primary School, residents demanded clarity on the president’s alleged involvement, further complicating his administration’s public image.

As Kenya grapples with these allegations, the government faces mounting pressure to address the systemic issues within its security apparatus. Constitutional scholars warn that failure to act decisively could erode public trust and destabilize the nation. “The state must demonstrate that it values the lives of its citizens,” said the anonymous lawyer. “Without accountability, the cycle of violence will only deepen.”

The Standard reached out to State House for comment, but no response was received by the time of publication. As the nation awaits answers, the voices of the bereaved and the calls for justice grow louder, demanding an end to the bloodshed that has shaken Kenya’s democratic fabric.