The Law Society of Kenya has strongly condemned police brutality and the involvement of suspected armed civilians during Monday’s protests in Nairobi, calling for urgent reforms and accountability within the National Police Service.

In a detailed statement, the society raised alarm over the conduct of security officers during the June 17 protests, where at least 17 people were injured, including a hawker who was shot at close range by a police officer.

A video of the incident, which shows the man being shot unarmed, has gone viral and drawn widespread public outrage.

The victim, who is in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital, has become a symbol of what the LSK termed “a troubling picture of a law enforcement system that is enabling—if not actively participating in—violence, theft, and intimidation.”

The LSK also reported a disturbing attack on a High Court advocate who was headed to visit a client, Ken Ochieng.

According to the statement, the attackers emerged from a police Land Cruiser, armed with blunt weapons and escorted by motorcycles.

The society said those involved did not appear to be protesters but instead resembled criminal groups operating under police protection.

“These incidents paint a troubling picture of a law enforcement system that is enabling—if not actively participating in—violence, theft, and intimidation,” the LSK said.

The society further accused some police officers of looting, particularly in shops previously broken into by suspected militias. It warned that these actions are eroding public trust in the police and undermining their constitutional role.

“There is a growing perception that the National Police Service has become a conduit for violent crime,” the statement read, warning that continued impunity could destroy the relationship between law enforcement and the public.

The father of the hawker who was shot, John Kariuki, also spoke out, saying, “We are demanding justice. The officer must be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable for this heinous act.”

While police later stated the officer involved had been arrested, the LSK criticised the response as vague and insufficient. It demanded the public release of the officer’s name, service number, and a firm commitment to prosecute.

“The officer must be treated as the face of impunity and lawlessness within the police ranks,” the society said.

In its closing remarks, the LSK renewed its call for police reforms, urging that the force return to its role as a protector of life and public order.

“This is a critical moment for Kenya,” the statement concluded. “The police must recommit to their constitutional mandate, and those who violate that trust must be brought to justice without delay.”