On June 25, 2025, massive protests erupted across Kenya as people took to the streets to demand justice, accountability, and an end to police brutality. Cities like Nairobi were filled with angry crowds, and the response from the police was harsh.
According to reports, at least 19 people were killed and hundreds were injured after officers used live bullets, tear gas, and beatings to disperse the demonstrators.
These protests were held exactly one year after similar demonstrations in 2024 where over 60 people reportedly lost their lives.
The mood in the country was tense, and the actions by the police only made it worse.
Amid the chaos, a specific incident at Ruaraka Police Station has attracted public attention, Activist Francis Gaitho posted on X, accusing the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Ruaraka of illegally detaining protestors arrested on June 25.
He claimed they were held for three days before being released on bail, each paying 5,000 shillings. He even shared a photo of a bail receipt, though it appears to be dated July 2021, which some say may be an error or simply an old sample.
Still, Gaitho insisted the action was unlawful and demanded that the OCS step down, warning of public anger. His post included the hashtag #SiriNiNumbers, possibly signaling a larger effort to document and expose police misconduct.
This is not the first time Kenya’s police have been accused of operating with impunity.
A 2024 Human Rights Watch report titled Unchecked Injustice revealed disturbing patterns of police abuse during the 2023 protests.
That report listed at least 31 deaths due to police action, and the recent events seem to follow the same trend.
Reports also show that during the latest protests, a police officer was arrested for shooting a civilian, and there were claims of abductions and forced disappearances.
These events suggest a broken system where law enforcement operates above the law and citizens suffer the consequences.
Gaitho’s claims, though not yet confirmed by official investigations, reflect what many Kenyans already believe that police stations are turning into holding areas for illegal arrests.
Detaining people for three days without presenting them in court violates Kenya’s constitution, which requires suspects to be taken to court within 24 hours.
Even the bail of 5,000 shillings, though not outrageous, raises eyebrows, especially if it was used as a way to exploit arrested protestors. It appears that some police officers are taking advantage of the unrest to profit or to intimidate dissenting voices.
Many are now calling for immediate action. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is being pushed to investigate the Ruaraka incident and others like it.
People want answers, not just apologies or empty promises. If the police can break the law without consequences, it becomes impossible to talk about justice or democracy.
The story of Ruaraka Police Station is just one part of a larger picture showing why Kenyans are protesting. It is about more than just tear gas and bullets, it’s about a system that treats citizens like criminals for demanding basic rights.
