The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a firm warning to all officers nationwide against the reckless use of firearms during upcoming public demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Speaking during a local radio station interview on Monday, June 23, 2025, NPS Spokesperson Michael Muchiri emphasised that any officer found using a firearm outside the law will face legal action.
He said this ahead of anticipated protests led by youth groups and opposition figures to mark the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
“The police are trained on when and how to use a firearm. What we’ve witnessed in some cases is completely out of order,” Muchiri said, referencing the June 17, 2025 shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, in Nairobi’s CBD.
“The two officers involved have been taken to court. This must serve as a warning to others.”
Use of force
Muchiri reaffirmed that Kenyan law strictly regulates police use of firearms. The National Police Service Act allows firearm use only when there is an imminent threat to life or serious injury.
“When I saw the video of that shooting, I was shocked. That’s not the Kenya Police Service we are building,” Muchiri added.
Boniface Kariuki remains hospitalised at Kenyatta National Hospital after sustaining a severe head injury from what doctors suspect was a rubber bullet.
According to a KNH report, 16 other protest-related casualties were treated for gunshot and blunt force injuries.
June 25 preparedness
Muchiri’s remarks come just two days before the June 25 protests, which youth-led movements have declared a day of peaceful resistance and remembrance for victims of police brutality.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service says security plans are in place to ensure safety for both demonstrators and non-participating members of the public.
Nairobi Regional Commander George Seda on Sunday said police will be deployed across key areas to ensure law and order is upheld throughout the day.
