Human Rights groups condemn police brutality against femicide protestors in Nairobi CBD

Several human rights organisations have condemned the violent actions taken by the police against peaceful protestors in Nairobi's Central Business District.

Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya, Human is My ID Alliance, and the End Femicide KE Movement on Tuesday expressed outrage over the use of excessive force, including tear gas, to disperse demonstrators marching against the alarming epidemic of femicide in the country.

Among those arrested were prominent human rights defenders, including Amnesty Kenya's Executive Director Irungu Houghton, who was detained despite participating in the protest peacefully.

Protesters taking part in the #EndFemicideKe demonstrations in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) were forced to run for cover after police fired tear gas at them.

Several people, including journalists, were injured, and some were arrested.

The march was set to start at Jeevanjee Gardens and pass through the CBD to the Judiciary headquarters, where protesters planned to raise their concerns about the increasing cases of femicide in the country.

The protesters had gathered at Jeevanjee by 9 am, but by 10 am, the police moved in, using tear gas to break up the crowd just as the march was about to begin.

The police were both dressed in uniform and plain clothes.

The protesters scattered and later gathered again at Stewart Lane, but were teargassed once more while some were also arrested.

The protest, led predominantly by women and their allies, was a call to action against the rising number of women killed in Kenya.

The demonstrators demanded immediate investigations into femicide cases and accountability for those responsible for the killings.

"The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protestors, is a direct attack on Kenya's democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens," the statement by the rights organisations reads in part.

Protesters arrested in Nairobi CBD while demanding accountability and action against femicide. The Defenders Coalition reports that among those detained is Amnesty Executive Director Irungu Houghton, who was apprehended by individuals suspected to be plainclothes police officers. pic.twitter.com/2itJOcNkRU

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 10, 2024

The highly anticipated march marked the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV and aimed to bring together women, human rights activists, and allies to raise awareness about femicide, which has plagued the country in recent months.

The 'EndFemicideKe' X handle which was instrumental in organising the protests also confirmed the incident urging those affected to reach their emergency line for assistance.

Amnesty International and its allies denounced the police's actions, calling them a blatant violation of the protesters' constitutional rights to assemble and petition, as outlined in Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.

The organisations described the police response as a blow to the rule of law and a reinforcement of impunity surrounding violence against women.

Tear gas engulfs Nairobi CBD as plainclothes officers wearing masks join uniformed police in dispersing anti-femicide protesters. #EndFemicideKE pic.twitter.com/1axKVbX80o

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 10, 2024

"We strongly condemn the use of teargas against unarmed citizens and the arrest of peaceful demonstrators," they said, calling for the immediate release of all detainees.

The organisations are demanding an independent investigation into the actions of the police, urging the Inspector General of Police to hold those responsible for the excessive force and unlawful arrests accountable.

They also called on the government to expedite investigations into femicide cases and ensure justice for victims and their families.

"The fight for women's lives is a fight for the soul of our nation," the statement concluded, stressing the need for authorities to respect the right to protest and protect citizens, rather than persecute them.

The CEO of Vocal Africa Hussein Khalid also strongly criticised the Kenyan Government for its failure to protect women against gender-based violence (GBV) and its alleged misuse of law enforcement to suppress constitutional rights.

Speaking on Citizen TV, Khalid condemned police attacks on peaceful protesters advocating for an end to femicide on Wednesday.

“Women are being killed left, right, and centre as the police who have the sworn responsibility to protect them violate their constitutional right to protest,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing outrage over femicide cases in Kenya, which have reached alarming levels in 2024.

The most shocking case occurred on July 14, when the mutilated bodies of 42 women were found dumped in Mukuru kwa Njenga’s Kware Area in Nairobi.

VIDEO: Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid: This year more than ever before we have seen Kenyans coming out in thousands to demand that they must be heard. We have a government that was passing bills as they wished, the people spoke up and said no to the Finance Bill but we had a… pic.twitter.com/goTtUgsesF

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 11, 2024

This grim discovery underscored the severity of the crisis and heightened calls for urgent action.

However, the police service, tasked with ensuring public safety, has instead come under fire for its alleged role in suppressing citizens’ rights.

“There is nothing wrong with people going out to protest according to Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution. The problem is the rogue police service which has no respect for the laws of this land,” Khalid said.

The violence meted out by police on protesters advocating for women’s rights is part of what Khalid described as a broader pattern of repression.

He went further to highlight the shrinking civic space in Kenya, citing recent actions by the government that he believes reveal a blatant disregard for democratic principles and human rights.

“We are currently witnessing a shrinking of the civic space in Kenya. The recent deregistration of 2,800 NGOs is enough proof of that, not to mention the over 1,300 arbitrary arrests that have taken place within the last five months,” he noted.

On November 20, 2024, President William Ruto announced a 16-day anti-femicide campaign dubbed 'Safe Home, Safe Space campaign,' which began on November 25, 2024.

The president said the campaign would be led by women leaders in government institutions who would raise awareness of the signs of gender-based violence (GBV) while informing the public of the safe spaces and avenues where they can get help.