Kenya faces scrutiny at UN for alleged abuses as rights group reports "culture of impunity"
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The report says that while Kenyan law guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest, the administration of President William Ruto has been actively interfering with these rights.
Kenya faces criticism at the United Nations over allegations of human rights abuses, with a human rights agency claiming that the government is failing to meet its obligations to protect its citizens.
The Defenders Coalition has presented a detailed report to the UN during the latest cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), outlining a disturbing pattern of abductions, arbitrary arrests, and police violence against peaceful protesters.
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The report says that while Kenyan law guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest, the administration of President William Ruto has been actively interfering with these rights.
"Incidents reveal inconsistent application of state commitments, with police use of teargas against citizens exercising their rights to peaceful protests and free speech," the report states.
It highlights excessive force employed by police, which has been characterised by a militarised response during demonstrations against unarmed civilians.
These alarming revelations come shortly after Kenya was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for a two-year term.
The report details specific incidents, including the youth-led protests on June 18, during which over 300 citizens, including activists and journalists, were arbitrarily arrested, and more than 200 others were injured.
It claims that security forces utilised tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition against protesters, resulting in injuries and at least one death.
The report also cites a separate incident on July 3, when police detained more than 270 protesters, including minors, during demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
These detainees were reportedly held without food in various police stations across Nairobi, raising significant concerns about their treatment and the broader suppression of peaceful protests.
According to the Defenders Coalition, the Ruto administration often engages with the UPR mechanism, accepts recommendations, and commits to implementing changes to uphold human rights.
However, the report criticizes the government for frequently reneging on these commitments. It notes a lack of progress in ensuring accountability for violations against human rights defenders.
"Cases of harassment and violence against activists remain largely uninvestigated, and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice," reads the report.
The failure to address such violations, the report argues, perpetuates a culture of impunity and increases the risks faced by human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
These groups are essential for safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms as outlined in both national and international law, yet they often encounter hostility in their efforts.
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