Rights body warns of rising threats to human rights defenders

Human rights defenders and civil society actors from Kenya , Uganda and Tanzania during a press briefing in Nairobi over the state of of human rights on April 16th
2025. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented at least seven killings, two enforced disappearances, and 132 arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders (HRDs) between 2020 and 2022.

The findings, contained in a new three-year review, show no recorded cases of kidnapping or torture during the period.

While the report noted some improvement in the safety of rights defenders, it warns that this could also reflect gaps in monitoring, documentation, and case registration.

KNCHR, during the launch of the report on Wednesday, August 13, flagged a sharp increase in police misconduct against HRDs, with cases dropping from five in 2020 to three in 2021, then rising to 23 in 2022.

"Cases dropped from five in 2020 to three in 2021, but alarmingly spiked to 23 in 2022. This sharp increase signals growing concerns over the safety of HRDs and highlights gaps in accountability and protection mechanisms within law enforcement," the report states.

The commission warned that State protection for human rights defenders is under threat, citing persistent mistrust between defenders and state agencies.

It noted that the 2022 elections were relatively peaceful compared with past polls, and commended Kenya's performance in access to information and public participation.

But, it said structural gaps persist in the legal framework for rights defenders and in safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly.

The report also identified an education gap that undermines long-term cultural change toward respect for HRDs.

"Security sector training is uneven, but programs are uncoordinated and lack consistent evaluation of Human Rights training for non-commissioned military personnel. Limited focus on vulnerable groups (juveniles, women, migrants, refugees, minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities)," read the report.

Despite a solid legal framework, the Commission said rights defenders and journalists continue to face judicial harassment, digital repression, and weak redress mechanisms.

It also expressed concern over rising cases of extrajudicial killings, abductions, excessive police force, arbitrary arrests, and shrinking civic space.