The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised alarm over the reported deployment of hired goons during the June 25, 2025 protests in Nairobi and Eldoret.
In a statement issued on Thursday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the presence of armed criminals among peaceful demonstrators put lives at risk and led to destruction of both private and public property.
“In particular, we take great exception to reports of armed goons being deployed against protesters in Nairobi and Eldoret,” said Odhiambo.
“These criminal elements infiltrated the demonstrations and committed atrocities that endangered protesters and caused widespread damage.”
Odhiambo also condemned the excessive use of force by police officers during the demonstrations, where eight people were confirmed dead, over 400 injured, and 61 arrested. She urged law enforcement to respect human rights and uphold the Constitution.
“We condemn the tendency of law enforcement to respond to democratic expression with violence and undue force. Such actions are contrary to Article 244 of the Constitution and must end,” she said.
The LSK president further criticized protesters who looted businesses and set fire to public institutions, including the Kikuyu and Ol Kalou Law Courts.
Meanwhile, business owners in Nairobi’s Central Business District were counting heavy losses on Thursday after looters broke into and destroyed several premises during Wednesday’s protests. Similar incidents were reported in Thika, Nyeri, Olkalau, Ongata Rongai, Othaya, Kikuyu, and Karatina.
Shops along Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, Luthuli Avenue, River Road, and Ronald Ngala Street were vandalized as police focused on maintaining order in the city center. At the OTC roundabout, Moonstar Hotel was set on fire and Quickmart Supermarket was looted. One shop owner said she lost goods worth over Sh800,000 during the attack.
“I didn’t expect this after the government promised us security. I don’t know where to begin,” she said.
By Thursday, business activity had resumed in parts of the city, although the damage was still visible. Transport services also returned to normal after major roads to the city had been barricaded the previous day.
Security officials praised detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and officers from Juja, Ruiru, Githurai, and the General Service Unit for preventing larger crowds from reaching Nairobi from Thika. Authorities believe that had the group succeeded, the situation in the capital could have worsened.
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