Pressure is mounting on the police service after two protesters were shot dead in Embu on Tuesday forcing Inspector General Douglas Kanja to take swift action.
Kanja has ordered the immediate recall of the Mbeere North Officer Commanding Station (OCS) following the fatal shooting, in a move meant to pave the way for investigations into what exactly happened on the ground.
The incident unfolded in Mbeere North, Embu County, where residents had taken to the streets in protest. What began as a demonstration quickly turned chaotic, with police reportedly opening fire as tensions escalated.
By the end of it, two people lay dead.
The deaths have sparked anger among residents and renewed scrutiny over how police handle protests, especially when it comes to the use of live bullets.
In a statement, the National Police Service said the recalled OCS will be required to record a statement and fully cooperate with investigators. The IG insisted that accountability will be pursued, and no officer will be shielded if found culpable.
But even as investigations begin, the incident is already feeding into a broader national conversation about police conduct.
The Embu shooting comes at a time when the police service is already under intense public scrutiny, following recent controversies involving senior officers, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
That case, which raised serious questions about internal accountability and command responsibility, has heightened public sensitivity around the conduct of law enforcement officers.
Now, with fresh deaths linked to protest policing, critics say the service must go beyond statements and demonstrate real consequences for misuse of force.
Human rights groups have called for an independent and transparent investigation, warning that repeated incidents of lethal force risk eroding public trust.
