NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 22 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed that 46 out of the 62 deaths linked to the 2024 Anti-Finance Bill and Gen Z protests remain under active investigation, with only three cases currently before the courts.
In a statement, IPOA outlined the progress, challenges, and status of investigations arising from the nationwide anti-government demonstrations that erupted in 2024.
According to the authority, 3 cases are pending before court, 3 cases have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and directio, 1 case is pending internal legal review, 4 cases were closed internally after investigations, 5 cases were closed pursuant to directions from the ODPP and 46 cases remain at different stages of investigation.
IPOA said the complexity of the investigations, reliance on forensic examinations, and evidentiary requirements have contributed to delays in concluding the majority of the cases.
“The completion of investigations is often complex and requires extensive processes involving multiple external agencies,” the authority’s Vice Chairperson Ann Mwangi stated.
She noted that it frequently depends on institutions such as the National Forensic Laboratory and the Government Chemist for forensic examinations and ballistic analyses, factors that can significantly affect the speed of investigations.
She also explained that not every completed investigation automatically results in prosecution.
“The progression of a case to court depends on the sufficiency of evidence and the outcome of prosecutorial review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” she stated.
The Vice Chairperson added that some investigations are closed where evidence fails to meet the legal threshold required for prosecution, while others may require further review or additional investigative work.
“The three cases before court are those in which the evidence and prosecutorial thresholds have been met, enabling criminal proceedings to commence,” she said.
She further disclosed that investigations linked to subsequent Gen Z demonstrations in 2025 are also ongoing.
According to the oversight body, 27 deaths were recorded during the June 2025 Gen Z Memorial demonstrations, with one case currently before court and 26 under active investigation.
Additionally, IPOA registered 38 death cases arising from the July 2025 Saba Saba demonstrations. Of these, two cases were closed internally while 36 remain under investigation.
Collectively, IPOA says the three major public order management events generated 127 death-related cases now under review by the authority.
The authority declined to publicly disclose details of files already forwarded to the ODPP, saying the move was necessary to protect the integrity of prosecutorial review and safeguard witnesses and victims.
“The specific names of the cases currently before the ODPP are generally not disclosed publicly while prosecutorial review is ongoing,” IPOA said.
To accelerate accountability efforts, IPOA said it has introduced several reforms, including fast-tracking investigations, implementing a backlog reduction strategy, recruiting additional investigators, and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to ensure priority handling of protest-related cases.
