DPP calls on IPOA to act on police conduct during Parliament breach

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to urgently investigate the conduct of police officers during the Gen Z-led protests on June 25, 2024, after a BBC Africa Eye documentary raised new questions about the use of force.

The call comes after the exposé analysed thousands of images and videos from the protests, showing how events unfolded when demonstrators entered Parliament grounds.

The footage also appeared to capture incidents involving both protesters and security forces, sparking renewed concern about accountability.

In a formal communication to IPOA, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jacinta Nyamosi said the exposé had revealed important footage that needed urgent follow-up. She said those responsible for unlawful acts must be held to account.

"We are writing to bring to your attention the recent exposé aired by the BBC Africa Eye programme, which investigated protesters’ access to the Kenyan Parliament during the 2024 Gen Z-led protests. The publicly available programme highlights significant evidence and footage capturing the events that unfolded during that period," Nyamosi wrote in a letter dated April 28, 2025.

She noted that individuals captured in the footage or mentioned in the programme were now considered persons of interest.

She added that the issues raised in the documentary were central to the values of democratic expression, freedom of assembly, and transparent governance.

"Given the clarity of some of the footage and testimonies in the documentary, the Director of Public Prosecutions directs that IPOA urgently initiate investigations into any misconduct or excessive use of force by law enforcement officers during the protests," she said.

The DPP’s office also instructed IPOA to identify those responsible for the breach of Parliament and to ensure that those mentioned or seen in the documentary are protected and available to record statements when needed.

"This programme raises serious concerns about potential breaches of public order, as well as the use of force, possible misconduct, and the accountability of those involved, including security forces and protest participants," Nyamosi added.

Nyamosi said IPOA must carry out its oversight role in an independent and transparent way and submit the outcome of its investigations to the DPP for review and guidance.

The BBC investigation examined more than 5,000 images taken during the protests to reconstruct the events that led to the chaotic scenes at Parliament.

The programme raised concerns over how the police handled protesters and whether excessive force was used.

Meanwhile, IPOA issued an update on its investigations on April 28, 2025, confirming that 60 protest-related deaths had been recorded.

Of these, 22 investigations have been completed, 36 are still ongoing, and two cases have already been filed in court.