Lawyer and political analyst Willis Otieno has issued a stern warning to police officers enforcing illegal directives from their superiors.
In a statement shared on his X page, Otieno singled out officers engaging in acts of brutality against civilians during state-sanctioned crackdowns. He reminded them that criminal law does not recognise a statute of limitations and that their current actions will not go unpunished.
Otieno emphasised that even in retirement, no officer will be shielded from accountability. He made it clear that justice is not bound by time and those hiding behind uniforms will eventually be held responsible.
”To the police officers executing illegal orders: There is no statute of limitations in criminal law. We will come for you even if you’re 80, retired, or hiding behind a uniform. Justice doesn’t expire,” Willis Otieno said.
Police brutality
This comes at a time when police brutality in Kenya is at its peak, with public outrage intensifying over recent incidents.
Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger and teacher, died in police custody on June 8, 2025, after his arrest in Homa Bay for claims of defaming Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat on social media.
Police initially claimed suicide, but an autopsy revealed severe head trauma, neck compression, and multiple injuries consistent with assault, contradicting their narrative.
Three individuals – Constable James Mukhwana, Officer Commanding Station Samson Talam, and a CCTV technician suspected of tampering with footage – have been arrested, with Mukhwana detained until July 3, 2025, as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigates. Lagat temporarily stepped aside on June 16, 2025, amid calls for his resignation.
On June 17, 2025, during protests in Nairobi over Ojwang’s death, 22-year-old vendor Boniface Kariuki was shot in the head at close range by a police officer while selling face masks.
Captured by journalists, the incident led to the arrest of officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, who appeared in court on June 19, 2025, with investigations extended for 15 days. Kariuki remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
June 2024
In June 2024, police brutality was also witnessed, especially during the Gen Z-led protests, which saw police officers mishandling the protestors, with a significant number of the young people dying and some left with injuries.
The most notable incident was the murder of Rex Maasai, a death that saw many Kenyans coming out to condemn the death of the young gentleman who was out protesting peacefully.
This has made Kenyans set aside June 25, 2025, as a day when they will be commemorating all those who lost their lives during the protests.
