Several human rights advocates and civil society groups have reportedly faced government scrutiny due to their active monitoring and critique of government actions during recent protests.
On Monday morning, transformative governance expert Wanjiru Gikonyo disclosed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other agencies targeted these activists because of their role in tracking government excesses.
Gikonyo explained that the human rights defenders received official letters from the government notifying them of ongoing investigations and requiring them to report to the DCI for questioning.
The letters cited “subversive activities” as the reason for these measures.
Despite this, Gikonyo argued that their efforts were not subversive but crucial for maintaining accountability and justice.
Gikonyo highlighted during an interview that these defenders had been summoned for interrogation by the DCI due to their activism, which was misconstrued as subversive.
The activists’ efforts included monitoring police conduct during the protests, offering legal support to those arrested, and addressing allegations of extrajudicial killings by the police.
The recent summonses have raised concerns about a potential crackdown on civil society groups and individuals committed to government accountability and the protection of free speech and movement.
A week ago, the High Court halted the government’s investigation into civil society organizations over claims of funding Gen Z protests.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued a conservatory order blocking the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other state agencies from probing or disrupting the activities of organizations like Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) until the matter is resolved.
Justice Mwita’s order restrains the government and its agencies from interfering with the petitioners’ operations, including their registration, bank accounts, and other activities until September 16, 2024.
This court ruling followed a challenge by five petitioners, led by the Katiba Institute, against the state’s false claims that civil society organizations, including the Ford Foundation, were funding protests.
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