Kenyan comedian turned activist Eric Omondi has launched a campaign demanding police accountability after what was meant to be a peaceful Gen Z memorial protest turned tragic, leaving at least eight people dead and hundreds injured.
In a passionate 10-minute video posted to his Instagram account on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Omondi appeared in a full blue police uniform and shared a message to law enforcement officers across the country.
Drawing from his personal history, he reminded Kenyans that his late father, Chief Inspector and OCS Omondi, had served in the police force and risen through the ranks from constable to OCS in Kisumu Central.
Omondi called on officers to remember their humanity before their uniforms. He told them that they are Kenyans first sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers and urged them to reflect on the weight of taking innocent lives.
“I am the son of a police man. The late Chief Inspector and OCS Omondi. He went through all the stages of a policeman. He was a constable, Inspector, Chief Inspector, then OCS in Kisumu Central. I want to speak to the Kenyan police. We are going to fix this country. You are a Kenyan before you are a police officer. You are a son, daughter, father, mother, but most importantly, you are a Kenyan. Some of you, three years or four, were in high school,” he stated.
He described watching the recent events unfold with deep pain, recalling how he saw a female police officer being beaten and thought of his mother. He also witnessed a civilian being shot, an image that has haunted him since.
“Yesterday, I saw a woman police officer being chased and beaten, I saw my mother in her, I also saw a civilian being shot,” Omondi stated.
According to Omondi, 11 people lost their lives on Wednesday, and over 400 are nursing bullet wounds. He announced the launch of a new initiative to take action where government reforms have failed.
He dubbed it Police Friday and urged all police officers across the country to recommit to protecting lives. He encouraged them to record videos pledging this commitment and to send them directly to him or tag him online with hashtags #serveandprotect, #utumimishikwawote, #daimakenya.
“I want to call upon all Policemen to recommit to protecting life no matter the situation. If you are a police officer, tomorrow but starting tomorrow, please record a video post and tag me with the following hashtags, or send me your Videos on 0726959111. I will post,” Omondi stated.
Serve and protect
He reminded the police of their oath to maintain law and order, but stressed that it does not include killing helpless, unarmed Kenyans.
“I know you took vows to maintain law and order, but that does not mean you shoot and kill a helpless Kernyan who is unarmed, Maandamano zitakuwa, because that is our constitutional right, tutaandamana, tutakimbiza, we will fight, lakini hatutauana, police arudi ka bibi yake and mama yake, na mkenya arudi kwa mama yake,” Omondi said
Omondi also revealed that he nearly joined the police force himself but was disqualified due to his height. Having grown up in a police household and having been mistreated by officers in the past, including arrests and police beatings, he said he fully understands the pressures of both sides.
Young people across Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisii and other towns took to the streets to mark the anniversary of the lives lost in last year’s anti-government protests. Unlike last year, this time they marched not just with rage, but with sorrow and purpose to honour those who died or disappeared, and to demand justice, transparency, and deep political reform.
In Nairobi, major roads such as Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Harambee Avenue, and City Hall Way were filled with chants of “Bado Mapambano,” “Ruto Must Go,” and “Wantam.” Protesters lit candles outside Parliament and even near the gates of State House, signalling both mourning and defiance.
Police responded with force, firing not just tear gas but, in some cases, live rounds. Videos circulated online showed officers violently beating protesters, launching tear gas into makeshift medical tents, and even attacking journalists covering the event.
So far, eight people have been confirmed dead. Many more have sustained injuries. The disturbing images and footage have sparked outrage across the country, with civil society groups and human rights defenders demanding urgent investigations and answers.
