A Milimani Magistrate’s Court has found that Evans Kiratu Karobi, 21, died from multiple system organ injuries caused by unlawful blunt force trauma sustained during the June 20, 2024, demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In a ruling delivered on August 11, 2026, Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Otieno Wambo determined that Karobi’s death occurred during the public demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 along Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street in Nairobi CBD.
The court heard that Karobi was among members of the public during the demonstrations when police officers deployed tear gas to disperse protesters. According to the evidence of Christopher Njugune, there was heavy police presence at the scene and, amid the confusion and smoke, Karobi was found lying on the road in pain.
Members of the public attempted to administer first aid before he was transported to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A postmortem examination revealed extensive internal injuries, including injuries to the ribs, diaphragm and pericardial membrane, a collapsed left lung, pelvic fractures, a ruptured urinary bladder and massive internal bleeding. Medical experts concluded that the cause of death was multiple system organ injuries involving the thorax, abdomen and pelvis due to blunt force trauma.
The court also considered CCTV footage retrieved from H.H. Towers. However, the footage did not capture the precise moment Karobi was injured or identify the person who inflicted the fatal blow. The court further heard that public street surveillance cameras were not operational at the material time.
Principal investigating officer Ibrahim Shumu told the court that investigations established that Karobi was among protesters dispersed by police officers using tear gas. Despite efforts to obtain witnesses and CCTV evidence, investigators could not identify the specific object or person responsible for the fatal injuries.
The court consequently found that although the evidence suggested Karobi sustained his fatal injuries during police crowd-dispersal operations, there was no direct forensic or CCTV evidence linking the death to any particular police officer or other known individual.
The court, exercising its jurisdiction under Section 387(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, found that Karobi’s death was occasioned by unlawful blunt force trauma inflicted by unknown persons during the June 20, 2024 demonstrations.
The court stated that the evidence available did not identify a known perpetrator, but found that an offence had been committed by unknown person.
The court also expressed concern that critical public surveillance infrastructure within Nairobi CBD was non-functional at the time, noting that this hampered accountability and investigations into serious incidents involving loss of life.
The court concluded that Karobi died from multiple system organ injuries arising from blunt force trauma and that the injuries were unlawfully inflicted during the demonstrations.
A copy of the ruling was ordered to be transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration and any action deemed appropriate under the law. The court also directed that a copy be supplied to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The inquest, filed as Republic v Evans Kiratu Karobi (Deceased), was instituted to establish the circumstances, cause and manner of Karobi’s death following injuries he allegedly sustained during the June 20, 2024 demonstrations popularly associated with protests against the Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi CBD.
