Police killings under spotlight as ex-LSK boss Faith Odhiambo demands investigation updates

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has called on the Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to release updates on all investigations involving police killings, saying families of victims deserve answers, accountability and justice.

Her call comes after the death of 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki Wainaina, who was shot inside her family’s home during the 2025 Saba Saba protests.

Odhiambo said that one year after Njoki’s death, her family is still seeking answers on who fired the bullet that killed the child and who will be held responsible.

“One year since 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki Wainaina was shot and killed inside her own home during the 2025 Saba Saba protests, her family is still asking the most basic question in any constitutional democracy. Who pulled the trigger, and who will be held to account?” Odhiambo said.

She expressed solidarity with Njoki’s family, friends, classmates and other victims of police brutality, saying their cases should not be delayed or ignored.

“I stand with Bridgit’s family, friends, classmates and every victim of police brutality whose pain has been normalised and whose cases have been delayed, diluted or ignored. Never again shall Kenyans be killed by trigger-happy officers for expressing their rights on the streets,” she said.

Odhiambo said the Constitution protects the right to life, peaceful assembly and equal protection of the law, adding that there must be accountability for deaths linked to the use of force by security officers.

“The Constitution does not permit stray bullets and unknown officers. It demands truth, individual responsibility and institutional reform. Our duty is to defend the right to life, to peaceful assembly and to equal protection of the law, especially for children who should be safest in their homes,” she said.

She called on the three institutions to provide information on the progress of investigations into deaths reported during protests and take action against officers found responsible for excessive use of force.

“I call upon the IG, IPOA and the ODPP. Account for every life lost during the protests, publish the status of all investigations involving police killings, and prioritise charges against officers implicated in excessive and lethal force. Justice for Bridgit is justice for every Kenyan who has paid with blood for daring to speak,” Odhiambo said.

She further said Njoki’s family should not feel abandoned and called for victims to receive reparations while those responsible face consequences.

“To Bridgit’s family, you are not alone. We will continue to memorialise her and insist that reparations for victims carry the same weight as consequences for perpetrators. Kenya must choose: impunity or a future where no parent has to bury a child because an officer treated a protest as war,” she said.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Njoki, who was shot inside her family’s home in Ndumberi, Kiambu County, died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The incident happened during the Saba Saba protests and led to public anger, protests and renewed demands for police accountability.

Speaking after the examination at Kiambu Hospital, the family’s pathologist, Dr Mulu, said the child suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by a gunshot wound.

“During the post-mortem, we found a penetrating injury to the brain that caused a traumatic brain injury, and it was consistent with a gunshot injury. All the evidence has been documented,” Dr Mulu said.

Njoki had stayed home from school that day due to tension in the area. Her family said she was in the living room when a bullet believed to have been fired by police during clashes with protesters outside went through the wall and struck her.