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KHRC pressures IG Kanja to resign over recent police killings
10th February, 2026 06:45 PM
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, as it gave the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions seven days to prosecute officers linked to police killings.
In a lengthy statement on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, on X, KHRC says it has documented at least seven police killings since the start of the year and warns it will pursue private prosecution if no action is taken. It says the failure to act has allowed systemic abuse and a culture of impunity to continue.
“Since the start of the year, KHRC has documented at least seven police killings across the country,” KHRC says.
The commission says Sheryl Adhiambo is the latest victim of police brutality in the country. She was shot and killed by police on February 7, 2026, in Huruma, Nairobi. KHRC says Sheryl was a first-year student at the Kenya Medical Training College and strongly condemns her killing.
KHRC demands the resignation of Inspector-General Douglas Kanja over failure to stop systemic abuse. It also calls for the arrest and prosecution of all officers involved, including commanders, and gives the DPP seven days to act or face private prosecution.
KHRC says the killings began early in the year and have continued across different regions. It says the first case was reported on January 1, when 14-year-old Dennis Ringa was shot dead in Mombasa. The commission adds that on January 11, 2026, Shukri Adan, aged 20, was killed in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi.
Pattern of killings and injuries documented
The commission says police shot and killed George Gathu Matheri, 40, in Nyeri on January 18, 2026. A day later in Kakamega, police killed Godfrey Muyonga, 52, and Benedict Isiakali, 34, and injured another man. On February 1, 2026, James Muraga Maina, 29, and Daniel Nudhu Njoki, 45, were killed in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
KHRC says it has also documented several cases of injury caused by police brutality. On January 10, 2026, police officers in Nandi attacked and injured youths who were playing pool. Three days later, police brutally assaulted Francis Nzau in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
The commission says on January 20, 2026, police shot and injured a man in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi. This happened during protests over demolitions. KHRC says these incidents show a worrying trend of excessive force and disregard for human life.
KHRC cites Articles 29 and 244 of the Constitution, which require police officers to act professionally and respect human rights and the rule of law. It says the documented cases show violations of these provisions, including the right to life under Article 25.
