The Judicial Service Commission’s press statement of 17 July 2025, titled “ Statement by the JSC on Unwarranted Attacks Against Judicial Officers ,” urges the public to stop criticizing judges over bail and bond decisions. It portrays such criticism as a threat to judicial independence and the rule of law. But this defensive stance rings hollow in the face of real tragedies under the judiciary’s watch. Take the heartbreaking case that sparked public outcry: 24-year-old Julia Wangui, a first-time protester in Nanyuki, died in custody after failing to raise a Ksh 50,000 bond imposed for a minor protest-related charge. She was arrested during the Saba Saba demonstrations, charged with a non-violent offence (malicious damage) , and remanded when she couldn’t afford the bond. Days later, she was dead in unclear circumstances. This is not an isolated incident of harsh pre-trial detention, it is a glaring symptom of a Judiciary that is failing t...
On the afternoon of 17 June 2025, a shocking video emerged from Moi Avenue, Nairobi. In under 10 seconds, it appeared to capture a summary execution: a man is approached by police, questioned briefly, shoved, and then shot in the head. The officers walk away. The footage spread swiftly across social media and news platforms, prompting outrage and grief. But beyond the emotion lies a stark legal truth: the shooting was not just excessive. It was unlawful. This article outlines the legal standards governing police use of force in Kenya, and why, in this case, the conduct of the officers falls short—fatally so. 1. What the Video Shows The video—recorded on Moi Avenue—unfolds in this sequence: A man is seen selling face masks near a closed shopfront. Protests or unrest are visible in the background. Two uniformed police officers walk into frame, spot the man, and engage him. After a one-to-two second verbal exchange, one officer shoves the man. Almost immediately, the off...