Human rights activists, lawyers condemn surge in violence, want insecurity declared national disaster

Human rights activists in Mombasa are calling on the government to declare insecurity a national disaster following a surge in killings, crime, and violence across Kenya.

This follows the brutal assassination of advocate Kyalo Mbobu, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on Tuesday, September 9, while stuck in traffic along Magadi Road near the Galleria Brookside area in Nairobi.

Led by Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, the activists said the state of insecurity has reached unprecedented levels, putting politicians, lawyers, activists, and human rights defenders at grave risk.

“If politicians, lawyers, and human rights defenders are not safe, who else is safe in this country?” Hussein asked, warning that gangs and goons, allegedly deployed by politicians and state operatives during protests, are responsible for many of the attacks.

The activists said these groups disrupt protests, meetings, and press conferences critical of the government, often operating in broad daylight, with some attacks occurring even inside police stations.

"As human rights activists, we say that the state of insecurity has never been this poor in this country. And we are demanding that insecurity be declared a national disaster," said Hussein.

"Each and every one of us, particularly those in government, must immediately and directly deal with the issue of insecurity here in Kenya," he added.

The call from human rights activists comes as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) staged a Purple Ribbon March to protest the killing of advocate Kyalo Mbobu.

Led by LSK President Faith Odhiambo, the LSK Council, the Chairperson of the Senior Counsel Bar Philip Murgor SC, other Senior Counsel, including Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC and Pravin Bowry SC, and IPOA Chair Ahmed Issack Hassan and other lawyers marched from Milimani Law Courts along Kenyatta Avenue to Vigilance House, where a petition was presented to Inspector General Douglas Kanja.

The human rights activists also highlighted the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were who was shot dead on April 30, 2025, by a gunman on a motorcycle along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

Human rights defenders have emphasised that the combined threats to lawyers, activists, politicians, and ordinary citizens make it imperative for the government to treat insecurity as a national disaster.

They are demanding immediate measures to restore safety, strengthen protections for vulnerable groups, and hold perpetrators accountable.

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