Ainabkoi MP Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga has stirred debate following his defence of police actions during recent anti-government protests, insisting that no officers have unlawfully taken lives and that law enforcement was simply protecting public and private property.
Speaking on Saturday, July 12, 2025, during the 9th Edition of the annual Kaptagat Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Program, Chepkonga dismissed claims circulating online and in the media that police officers were responsible for killing protesters. He argued that law enforcement had acted responsibly in the face of provocation and violence.
“Mimi nimeona watu wengi wameongea sana, ati polisi wameua watu. Hakuna polisi wameua watu,” Chepkonga said. “Police were protecting the properties of the people.”
Translation: “I have seen many people talking a lot, claiming that police have killed people. No police have killed anyone. The police were protecting people’s property.”
Cites U.S. policing model
The MP, who once chaired the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, further drew a comparison with law enforcement practices in the United States, particularly referencing a video he watched of a sheriff from Los Angeles.
“Your Excellency, I was watching a video of a sheriff of Los Angeles, mahali democracy imetoka,” he said, addressing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was present at the event. “That sheriff said, if you speak on the policeman, you will go to jail. If you destroy the property of a citizen, you will go to jail. If you throw a stone at a policeman, we will inform the next of kin.”
His comments come amid mounting criticism over the government’s handling of protests led largely by young people calling for economic reforms and rejecting unpopular legislation. Human rights groups have reported multiple casualties and cases of police brutality.
Chepkonga’s speech was aimed at justifying the actions of Kenyan police by drawing parallels with U.S. policing.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
