Kenya in Crisis: Human Rights Under Siege Amid Escalating Violence
In a united front, six national associations representing content creators, journalists, lawyers, medical practitioners, and human rights defenders have issued a grave statement regarding the ongoing human rights crisis in Kenya. This statement, released today, condemns the recent violence and calls for immediate and decisive executive action to address the dire situation.
The crisis has reached alarming levels, with 24 fatalities reported as of last night, all allegedly caused by police officers. Among the victims is twelve-year-old Kennedy Onyango, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence. Additionally, 361 individuals have sustained various injuries, 627 arrests have been made, and 32 abductions have occurred. The associations emphasized that abductions differ from arrests, as many of those taken by state officers were not informed of their charges or officially booked into police stations. These abductees have been held incommunicado, deprived of access to their families, legal representation, and medical care.
The past two weeks have been particularly harrowing for professionals on the front lines. Medical personnel have been targeted, arrested, and had patient lists confiscated from mobile emergency centers. Lawyers have faced significant barriers, including arrest and intimidation, preventing them from representing their clients effectively. Journalists covering the protests have experienced the confiscation of their equipment, physical assaults, and unlawful detentions. Staff members operating helplines and funds to support legal and medical assistance have also faced numerous challenges.
In light of these events, the associations acknowledged the State House’s announcement of a multi-sectoral conversation aimed at addressing the policy issues raised by the Youth for Kenya (Gen Z) protest movement. The movement has voiced urgent demands for the government to tackle public corruption, reduce the size of the cabinet, invest in essential services, hold accountable those responsible for violence against unarmed protestors, release those arbitrarily detained, and end extrajudicial killings. The associations argued that many of these demands require immediate executive action rather than prolonged policy dialogues.
“Decisive executive action, not a state-led national conversation, will restore the faith of this generation in the Kenyan state,” the statement read. “It will bring back confidence in our constitution, our governance institutions and will create a nation united and driven by our constitutional values.”
The associations urged both the national and county administrations to heed the demands of the Gen Z protestors, who represent the majority of Kenyans and have a significant stake in resolving the current crisis. The statement reaffirmed the associations’ commitment to protecting all constitutional rights and freedoms without fear or favor, calling on Kenyan authorities to respect their mandates and cease the harassment of their staff.
Furthermore, the statement called for an end to the attacks on emergency medical centers and personnel, demanding that the government provide necessary supplies, including ambulances, and ensure the safety of caregivers during the planned protests this week. The associations also insisted that the government cover the medical costs of the injured, emphasizing its constitutional duty to provide health services to all, including protestors.
The National Police Service was urged to stop criminalizing protestors and cease the use of camouflaged, non-uniformed officers and unmarked vehicles with concealed license plates. The statement called for the police and military to operate strictly within the confines of the constitution and the bill of rights during the upcoming protests.
The statement was signed by the Kenya Medical Association, Bloggers Association of Kenya, Law Society of Kenya, Kenya Union of Journalists, Medics for Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group. This coalition includes 21 organizations such as the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists, Independent Medical and Legal Unit, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Defenders Coalition, and Amnesty International Kenya.
As Kenya faces this critical juncture, the call for immediate and decisive action remains urgent. The nation watches closely as authorities respond to the escalating crisis, hoping for a resolution that upholds human rights and restores faith in the country’s governance.
