The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has admitted that the National Police Service fell short in its response to the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, stating that officers could have taken a more effective approach during the demonstrations that resulted in the loss of unarmed civilians’ lives.
Kanja discussed the clashes with a local TV station on November 21, 2025, that resulted in 39 or more deaths and widespread public anger over police behaviour.
In my opinion, our officers could have performed significantly better in that situation. Remembering training is crucial at all times, as continuous training significantly enhances their performance, he stated.
The police officer reemphasized that the killing of civilians is not a standard procedure. “First and foremost, the job of law enforcement is not to take anyone’s life, and as I’ve stated previously, our primary objective is to safeguard the rights and liberties of the public.”
The IG stated that incidents involving unarmed protesters who were killed require comprehensive investigations.
If such incidents occur, for instance, that is an area necessitating thorough examinations so that we can grasp what transpired and what led to the specific action taken by the relevant officer, he noted.
Demands for legally compliant law enforcement practices
Kanja expressed concern about images of police brutality during the protests, which it was claimed raised serious questions about the conduct of officers. He observed that the police mandate is primarily to function within the bounds of the law and protect the rights and liberties of residents.
“Our primary objective is to conduct our business in accordance with the law and safeguard the rights and liberties of citizens, which is why such images inevitably spark widespread concern.”
What might have occurred? We also permit others to review the situation so that we can get the correct perspective of what actually occurred, including IPOA and all other relevant parties involved.
He kept referring to Article 37 of the Constitution, which ensures citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.
Our laws are very well guided and very clearly outlined in Article 37 regarding all these matters. According to the law, everyone – both the protesters and the law enforcement officers – should be there to facilitate the peaceful protest, as the law permits this activity.
Regulatory structure for gathering
Kanja also pointed out the legal framework governing public demonstrations, underlining that both citizens and law enforcement officials must comply with established protocols. According to him, the law specifies the procedures for staging protests and defines the responsibilities of the police in maintaining public order while safeguarding the rights of participants.
Distinguishing between lawful protests and criminal activity becomes increasingly challenging when events deviate from the established legal parameters.
Several officers are under investigation by IPOA and other oversight bodies for their alleged use of excessive force during the 2024 protests, as pointed out by Kanja.
