Crime Si Poa Raises Alarm on Police Brutality, Political Gangs & the Erosion of Public Trust

The Youth Safety Awareness Initiative — better known as Crime Si Poa — delivered a powerful statement on the State of the Nation, highlighting what it termed an “alarming breakdown” in Kenya’s law enforcement integrity, and warning of a dangerous convergence between political interests, criminal gangs, and rogue elements in the police.

Speaking to members of the press, Executive Director Pete Ouko delivered a blistering critique of rising police impunity and the disturbing trend of deploying organized youth gangs during demonstrations — a pattern he said was turning Kenya’s streets into “zones of fear” rather than civic expression.

The Flashpoint: Killing of Boniface Karuki

The statement comes a day after the fatal police shooting of Boniface Karuki, a young, unarmed Kenyan who was reportedly selling face masks to demonstrators. Viral videos circulated widely on social media showed that Karuki posed no threat to the police or public. The officer, captured on video, did not attempt to arrest Karuki — instead, he shot him at point-blank range.

Crime Si Poa commended the Inspector General of Police for the swift arrest and arraignment of the said officer but warned that this must not be treated as an exception — rather, a standard of accountability.

Escalating Lawlessness — With Police in the Picture

The organization also condemned the violence and looting seen during recent protests, allegedly carried out by gangs armed with crude weapons, some of whom appeared to be escorted or observed passively by police officers.

This prompted Senate Majority Whip Dr. Boni Khalwale to post a viral video on his X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned:

The Haiti Irony

In a sharp rebuke, Crime Si Poa highlighted the contradiction of Kenya deploying police to fight gangs in Haiti, while gangs appear to operate with impunity locally.

Gangs, Politics & 2027

The organization pointed fingers at political figures, quoting Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who previously suggested that some politicians were financing these criminal enterprises.

They warned that this dangerous entanglement between politics and criminality could destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Police Reform or Reversal?

Crime Si Poa emphasized that Kenya rebranded the police from a "Force" to a "Service" to embody principles of servant leadership, civic accountability, and human dignity. However, they noted with concern that these standards are fast eroding.

🎤 Questions & Answers — Highlights from the Press Interaction

Q: What should citizens do when their rights are violated?
Pete Ouko: “Use the law, not violence. Article 49 of the Constitution gives you rights as an arrested person. You have the right to know the reason for your arrest, to remain silent, and to access legal help. If your rights are violated, you can go to court, and you will be compensated.”

Q: Is Crime Si Poa calling for prosecutions beyond the police officer involved in Karuki’s killing?
Ouko: “Yes. We call for the prosecution of all culpable actors — including gang members and their political godfathers. No one is above the law.”

Q: Are witnesses safe to testify against rogue officers or gangs?
Ouko: “That’s why we call on the Witness Protection Agency to step up and assure willing but scared witnesses of safety. Without witness confidence, justice collapses.”

📚 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS — Quick Glossary of Constitutional Protections

Final Word

Crime Si Poa’s message is clear: Kenya stands at a crossroads. It can continue to slide into a culture of impunity, or reclaim its path as a democratic, rights-respecting society where the police serve the people — not power.