The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has strongly condemned recent incidents of police brutality and extra-judicial killings targeting young protesters, calling for accountability and justice for the lives lost during nationwide demonstrations.
Highlights:
- KCCB condemns killings of young protesters in recent anti-government demos.
- Bishops accuse police of excessive force and extra-judicial tactics.
- The Church is demanding full investigations and justice for victims.
- Bishops urge dialogue over violence in handling public dissent.
Main Story:
In a firm and emotionally charged statement, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has called out the government over violent police crackdowns on young people protesting in the streets. The bishops described the killings as “unacceptable and unjustifiable,” stressing that no Kenyan should lose their life for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The Church particularly highlighted the deaths of youth during the recent anti-Finance Bill protests, which have swept across the country, led largely by Gen Z activists.
Demand for Justice and Reform
The bishops demanded swift investigations into all reported incidents of extra-judicial killings and police brutality, stating that the perpetrators — regardless of rank — must be held accountable.
They further urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and human rights commissions to move beyond statements and deliver real outcomes that protect citizens from state-sponsored violence.
While acknowledging the rising frustrations among Kenya’s youth, the bishops emphasized the importance of peaceful protest and responsible civic engagement. However, they placed the larger burden on state institutions, saying it is the government’s duty to listen and respond with dialogue — not bullets.
“The future of this nation is in the hands of the youth,” the statement read. “We must protect them, not silence them.”
In a time of rising fear and fading trust, the Church’s voice reminds the nation: a just society cannot be built on the silence of the slain.
