Human rights groups raise alarm over escalating human rights violations

IMLU executive director Grace Wangechi flanked by other leaders of human rights organizations at a press briefing at the Civic Space Protection Summit. 

As the Kenya Kwanza government marks two years in office, boasting of milestones, civil society and human rights groups have raised concerns over the growing disregard for human rights and democratic processes.

 Despite the constitution guaranteeing protection of human rights and commitment by none other than President William Ruto to safeguard human rights, there has been an uptick in police brutality, arbitrary arrests, and State overreach.

 Speaking during the Civic Space Protection Summit in Mombasa, human rights organisations, highlighted worrying trends of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and government interference in peaceful demonstrations.

 Among the most concerning abuse was police’s heavy-handed response to peaceful protests where officers used excessive force, leading to the deaths of several protesters.

 “The state has, over the past 24 months, demonstrated that they have no regard for the Constitution, independent oversight bodies, and civil society,” said Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Executive Director Davis Malombe.

 The civil social spoke days after Kenya marked the International Day of Democracy, a celebration that rang hollow for many citizens as they grappled with the reality of an increasingly authoritarian government.

 "Defiance of court orders and the culture of impunity among senior state officials continue to be one of the key challenges to advancing civil liberties in the country,” they said in a joint statement.

 According to statistics by Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) at least 60 protestors and at least 67 missing.

 "The use of such lethal crowd control weapons by the National Police Service has been normalized, despite a court order banning their use," said IMLU Executive Director Grace Wangechi.

 Human rights defenders particularly pointed out the case of Trever Mathege Mureithi, a first-year student at Multimedia University who was critically injured during protests and a teargas canister lobbed at him at close range.

 The organizations further called for the suspension and prosecution of officers involved in such violent acts.

 "We are concerned that very important freedoms and human rights that have been granted by our constitution are becoming increasingly difficult to exercise," noted Kamau Ngugi, the Executive Director at Defenders Coalition.

 He added: "The right to assemble, the right to protest, and even the freedom of the press is being undermined."

 Ngugi expressed frustrations of many Kenyans who have found it nearly impossible to air out their grievances against corruption and poor leadership without facing violent crackdowns.

 The Gen Z protests, which saw thousands of young Kenyans take to the streets to demand better governance, were met with brutal police repression, leading to the deaths and disappearances.

 "We are disappointed as a sector because the president ensured Kenyans that there will be no enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings," said Wangechi.

 The summit brought together about 11 human rights groups including KHRC, IMLU, National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders, Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa and Transparency International.

 Others were Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Initiative for Inclusive Empowerment, InformAction, Partnerships 4 Empowerment and Networking in Kenya, Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi, and Haki Yetu Organization

 With Douglas Kanja being sworn in as the Inspector General of Police the organisations are pushing for a shift in policing culture.

 "We need a police service, not a police force. We need a service that is objective and professional, one that works with citizens and organizers of protests to uphold the law," Ngugi said.

 He emphasised the need for accountability, particularly for officers involved in extrajudicial killings and disappearances.

 As civic space shrinks, so too does public participation in governance.

 The State’s failure to involve the public in the development of policies, particularly those that have far-reaching consequences, has led to widespread dissatisfaction.

 "The last two years have shown us that authoritarian leadership, coupled with corruption, is not just a fiscal issue but a human rights one,” said Transparency International's Executive Director Sheila Masinde.

 She added: "We have witnessed erosion of fiscal accountability, observing how mismanagement of public resources directly impacts human rights."

 Masinde pointed out the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport leasing saga as a classic example of the State's deliberate effort to subvert the Constitution to the benefit of a few individuals.

 "The mismanagement of public funds, widespread corruption, and the intimidation of oversight institutions not only violate our right to transparent governance, but also limit the government's ability to provide essential services to its citizens," said Masinde.

 The UN Resident Coordinator to Kenya Stephen Jackson commended civil society organizations for their pivotal role in promoting transparency, safeguarding democratic values, and amplifying the voices of vulnerable groups.

 "Civil society organizations in Kenya have been the backbone of the nation, tirelessly safeguarding democratic values and principles, amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities, promoting transparency and accountability," said Jackson.