Chris Kaba family’s fight for answers reaches crucial hearing

A PRE-inquest review hearing this week will hear important legal arguments to determine whether an inquest into the killing of Chris Kaba will go ahead.

Chris Kaba, a 24 year old Black man, was fatally shot by Martyn Blake, a firearms officer from the Metropolitan Police on 5 September 2022 in Streatham, London. Chris was unarmed and police officers did not know who he was at the time of the shooting.

The police watchdog decided to drop misconduct proceedings against Martyn Blake in August this year.

INQUEST backs the family’s request for an inquest and full investigation into his death to go ahead in order to explore the wider circumstances of his death and key issues not determined by the criminal legal process.

In August, leading campaigners said they were “appalled” at the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) decision to formally drop gross misconduct proceedings.

Justice campaign

Temi Mwale, Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign, said: “We are appalled by the IOPC’s decision to abandon disciplinary proceedings against Martyn Blake. This is a devastating blow – not just to Chris Kaba’s family, but to everyone who cares about living in a society where the police are not above the law.

“The extraordinary treatment of Martyn Blake throughout this case sends a dangerous message: when police kill, the system will bend over backwards to protect police officers rather than hold them accountable and deliver justice. The IOPC had a choice. Today it chose not to do the right thing.

“That decision is deeply damaging to public confidence in its independence and its willingness to hold police officers to account.

“The police continue to fight for absolute impunity and Britain is moving backwards on police accountability.

“We will continue to fight for the kind of society we want to live in. A society where no one is above the law – not police officers, not anyone.

“Where those entrusted with the greatest powers are held to the highest standards and where communities can expect accountability, truth and justice as the norm.”

In October 2024, Blake was acquitted of the murder of Chris.

The IOPC reviewed the evidence at the criminal trial and then announced in April 2025 that Blake would face a misconduct hearing.