A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report accuses Kenyan security forces of a sustained campaign of abductions, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses, particularly targeting activists, refugees, and human rights defenders during and after the 2024 protests against the government.
HRW’s findings indicate a pattern of enforced disappearances and killings that raise concerns over state-sanctioned violence, with witnesses reporting that security forces used civilian clothes and unmarked cars to detain and disappear individuals perceived as threats to the administration.
The protests erupted in response to President William Ruto’s proposed tax hikes and economic policies, which many Kenyans viewed as exacerbating the country’s economic challenges.
As protesters mobilized across major cities, including Nairobi, Eldoret, and Nakuru, clashes with security forces escalated, resulting in the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds.
In Nairobi alone, HRW documented instances of paramilitary forces and police firing directly at protesters, often with lethal force.
By late June, HRW had gathered testimonies from family members, activists, and survivors that described abductions, brutal beatings, and intimidation tactics aimed at silencing dissent.
Human Rights Watch criticizes President Ruto’s government for failing to investigate or hold responsible any security officers involved in these incidents, which they say has perpetuated a culture of impunity.
Many detained individuals report being held in undisclosed locations, denied access to legal representation, and subjected to torture while interrogated about their protest affiliations.
HRW’s report highlights testimonies from former detainees who recounted severe mistreatment, including being beaten, deprived of food and water, and even threatened with death for participating in the protests.
Despite such disturbing accounts, the Kenyan government has repeatedly denied involvement or attempted to downplay the severity of the abuses.
The lack of accountability extends to cases involving missing persons whose bodies, often mutilated, have been discovered in rivers, forests, and abandoned areas.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported over 70 abductions linked to protests but later ceased public updates amid alleged government pressure.
HRW, alongside other human rights groups, calls for independent investigations and international pressure to ensure accountability, citing international laws against enforced disappearances and the excessive use of force against unarmed civilians.
The 2024 protests have underscored long-standing issues around police brutality and the Kenyan government’s response to civic unrest.
HRW’s findings have drawn international attention, with human rights advocates urging Kenya’s leadership to prioritize the protection of its citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
Kenyan law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have faced allegations of abuse before, and the HRW report calls on President Ruto’s administration to end the systemic violations and initiate reforms within security agencies.
These recent developments cast a shadow over Kenya’s global image regarding human rights protections.
As HRW and other organizations amplify their findings, the international community is expected to increase pressure on Kenya to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for victims and their families.
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