Pressure Builds on IG Kanja Following Transfer of Police Chiefs Over Femicide March Unrest

Lawyers from four major organizations have condemned the transfer of top police officials following the December 10 anti-femicide protests, calling it an insufficient response to excessive use of force during the peaceful march.

In a joint statement issued on December 16, the lobby group—comprising the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit—acknowledged that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered the transfers after the Internal Affairs Unit investigated police conduct.

The transfers affected Nairobi Central OCPD Doris Mugambi, who was moved to Vigilance House, and Nairobi Central OCS Stephen Okal, reassigned to Mulot. They were replaced by Buruburu Deputy OCPD Stephen Okal and CI Talaam, respectively.

“While this is a step toward accountability, it does not address the systemic issues that enable such abuses,” the group emphasized, demanding more decisive action.

The lawyers condemned the brutal police response, stressing that a mere reshuffle fails to address the core problems. They urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to hold officers criminally accountable, arguing that transfers could normalize misconduct rather than deter it.

Key demands included policy reforms and improved officer training under the IG’s leadership to ensure police understand and respect legal limits during public assemblies. They also reaffirmed that a three-day notification period, as prescribed by law, is sufficient for organizing peaceful protests.

Transparency was another priority, with the lobby group calling for the prompt publication of investigation findings. They further advocated for collaboration between human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and the National Police Service to reform the broader policing culture.

The statement follows Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton’s release, alongside four others, after being arrested during the December 10 march. The group reiterated calls for thorough investigations and prosecution of officers found culpable by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).