Break-in at MUHURI Lamu office sparks fears of intimidation ahead of planned protest
In a statement, MUHURI said unknown individuals broke into the office through the rooftop in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A break-in at the Lamu office of Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) has raised alarm among civil society groups, coming just days before the organisation is scheduled to lead a peaceful protest in the county.
According to a statement issued by MUHURI, unknown individuals gained access to the office through the rooftop in the early hours of Saturday morning.
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The intruders specifically targeted the office of the county coordinator, where they broke into multiple document cabinets and interfered with several files.
Preliminary assessments confirmed that while no electronics or office equipment were stolen, the unauthorised handling of confidential records has raised suspicion about the motive behind the breach.
The incident was reported at the Lamu Police Station under Occurrence Book (OB) Number 25/21/6/2025.
Police officers visited the premises and commenced a forensic assessment of the scene.
MUHURI has stated it is fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to provide relevant information as the investigation unfolds.
Peaceful demonstration
The break-in comes a day after MUHURI delivered a formal notification to authorities regarding a peaceful demonstration scheduled for June 25, 2025.
The march is set to start at Mkunguni Square, pass through Kibaki and the Lamu Municipality offices, and return to the starting point.
The event, running from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, aims to mourn the lives of Kenyans killed during previous demonstrations and to demand justice and accountability from state institutions.
In the official notice to the police, MUHURI underscored that the demonstration would be peaceful, as provided for under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the right to assemble and picket without being armed.
Human rights defenders and civil society organisations have since expressed concern over the timing of the break-in, interpreting it as an act of intimidation against those mobilising for peaceful civic action.
MUHURI is now calling for enhanced security measures to protect its staff, documents, and operations in the region.
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