In a strongly worded statement, the rights body accused the National Police Service leadership of presiding over a culture of violence, impunity, and disregard for human life, arguing that recent deaths linked to police operations point to a systemic failure rather than isolated misconduct.
KHRC said the killings, many of which reportedly occurred during routine policing, protests or arrest operations reflect a breakdown of command responsibility at the highest level.
According to the commission, IG Kanja bears direct accountability for the actions of officers under his command and has failed to put in place effective measures to curb excessive use of force.
The Inspector General cannot continue occupying office while Kenyans are being killed by those sworn to protect them,” KHRC stated, adding that leadership without accountability has emboldened rogue officers and normalized brutality within the force.
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The commission further criticized what it termed as weak internal oversight mechanisms, slow investigations and a pattern of shielding officers implicated in fatal shootings.
It argued that disciplinary processes within the police service have failed to inspire public confidence, especially as families of victims continue to wait for justice.
KHRC also faulted the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), saying its recommendations are routinely ignored or delayed, allowing officers accused of serious crimes to remain on duty.
This, the group said, has contributed to public anger and eroded trust in law enforcement institutions.
The call for IG Kanja’s resignation comes amid growing public outrage over police conduct, particularly in urban informal settlements and during crowd control operations.
Civil society groups warn that unless decisive action is taken, the country risks sliding back into an era where extrajudicial killings were widespread and rarely punished.
In its demands, KHRC urged President William Ruto to take immediate action by removing the Inspector General, initiating independent investigations into recent killings and restructuring police command to prioritize human rights and accountability.
The commission also called for comprehensive police reforms, including better training on use of force, mandatory body cameras and swift prosecution of officers found culpable in unlawful killings.
As pressure mounts, the police leadership has yet to issue a detailed response to the resignation calls.
However, the debate has reignited a national conversation on police reform, accountability, and the true cost of state-sanctioned violence.
For many Kenyans, KHRC’s stance reflects a growing impatience with promises of reform that have failed to translate into safety, justice and dignity on the streets.
