The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Thursday expressed deep concern over the government’s disregard for the constitution, independent oversight organizations, and civil society. During the Fourth Civic Space Protection Summit, KHRC condemned what it described as a culture of impunity within the state.
Key points in the KHRC’s statement included a critical view of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and abductions targeting state actors and activists. The organization highlighted over 60 deaths among civil society leaders and human rights defenders in the past two years and called for the suspension and interdiction of involved police officers. They also condemned the severe injury of Trever Mathenge Muerithi, a first-year student at Multimedia University who was hit by a teargas canister at close range, an act performed despite a court order banning such weapon use.
Additionally, KHRC criticized the proposed Assemblies and Demonstrations Bill, which aims to limit constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of assembly and demonstration. The organization also pointed out the state’s widespread surveillance efforts that stifled digital activism, citing poor resource management, corruption, and continuous intimidation of monitoring institutions that undermine governance transparency.
Highlighting a specific case, KHRC called for the public to initiate a citizens’ arrest of former acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli if Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki fails to act. Masengeli had been sentenced to six months in jail for ignoring court summons multiple times. This was related to the abduction of three men who were coincidentally found alive the same day Masengeli was due in court. His eventual apology led the judge to set aside the conviction.
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