Families of victims demand probe into extrajudicial killings, torture

A group of mothers of victims, survivors of police brutality, civil society organisations and concerned citizens have petitioned the Senate to urgently act on what they describe as a deepening crisis of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances by security agencies across Kenya.

In the petition presented on Wednesday, the group says 2024 saw a sharp increase in state-linked killings and disappearances, with 159 cases documented, including 104 extrajudicial killings and 55 enforced disappearances.

They say the majority of the killings happened during the June-August Gen Z-led protests, while enforced disappearances increased by 450 per cent compared to the previous year.

They are demanding a full parliamentary investigation into all cases in the 2024 Missing Voices report and other credible human rights reports.

They also want a special committee formed to probe the involvement of security agencies and others, with powers to summon officials and access documents.

“The President upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers,” the petitioners said.

The families want Parliament to direct the Director of Public Prosecutions to speed up all pending cases and deliver justice to families.

They are also calling for a law or motion to establish a victim compensation scheme for families affected by killings and disappearances.

Among the demands is the creation of an independent human rights oversight body to monitor and report on how security forces conduct their operations, as well as urgent reforms in police policies and training to ensure they respect the Constitution.

The petitioners have also asked Parliament to direct the government to implement recommendations from the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to stop future violations.

The mothers say the disappearances and killings are mainly targeting young people, especially protesters and influencers who took part in peaceful demonstrations.

“June and July 2024 were identified as the deadliest months for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances,” they state.

They add that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights recorded 82 cases of enforced disappearances between June and December 2024, up from just nine in the previous 18 months. Twenty-nine people remain missing.

They also accuse authorities of doing nothing to help affected families. “We have made the best efforts to have these matters addressed by the relevant authorities… all of which have failed to give a satisfactory response,” they petition.

The petition names Nairobi as the deadliest county, followed by Kiambu, and notes that only 28 prosecutions have been made since 2019 despite hundreds of reported cases. Families, they say, are left to suffer alone.

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The petition cites the murder of Albert Ojwang from Homa Bay and 20 other deaths in police custody since his killing as the most recent examples.

“Despite promises made by the President and relevant ministries that extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances would not be allowed in Kenya, we have continued to see cases occur,” it reads.

They also clarify that the issues raised in the petition are not before any court, constitutional body, or legal institution, and ask the Senate to take full responsibility in ensuring action is taken.