Kenya’s civic space remains relatively open in the subregion; however, it continues to grapple with corruption, and human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and torture. Security forces routinely violate the right to freedom of assembly by using excessive force to suppress protests, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, arbitrary arrests, and detentions.
Kenya’s civic space remains relatively open in the subregion; however, it continues to grapple with corruption, and human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and torture. Security forces routinely violate the right to freedom of assembly by using excessive force to suppress protests, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, arbitrary arrests, and detentions. Additionally, freedom of expression continues to be stifled as journalists investigating corruption and governance issues face threats and arbitrary arrests. GBV and femicide rates surged, with over 8 cases documented in 2024 alone. HRDs operating in conflict-ridden regions like Baringo, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Turkana increasingly became targets of rival communities.
The information is based on our latest bi-annual report that can be found under our reports.
In its bi-annual report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all United Nations Member States. The
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Kenya (NCHRD-K) and DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) are outraged by the killing of human rights defender John Waweru on Monday 11 April 2016 in Zimmerman, Nairobi.
John Waweru was the director of Githunguri Constituency Ranching Company and an avid and committed human rights defender working towards the promotion and protection of economic and social rights.
NCHRD-K and DefendDefenders are alarmed at the trend of attacks against human rights defenders in Kenya related to their work on land and environmental rights. Mr Waweru was at the forefront of advocacy against forced evictions of individuals residing on contested land in Kiambu County.
The killing of John Waweru, which is believed to be related to his human rights work, comes shortly after the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the protection of human rights defenders addressing economic, social and cultural rights (A/HRC/31/L.28) in March 2016.
The NCHRD-K and DefendDefenders express grave concern about the lack of accountability for perpetrators of harassment, intimidation, and physical and sometimes lethal attacks against human rights defenders in Kenya.
Joel Ogada, a human rights defender in Kilifi County who has been a leading advocate for land rights against the neighbouring Salt farms has faced three criminal charges, one of which resulted in him being sentenced to two years in prison after appeal. He was released in September 2015 and barely six months after his release, in March 2016, he was rearrested and charged with attempting to kill.
In 2013, Hassan Guyo, the Programme Director for Strategies for Northern Development (SND), an organization that promotes human rights for women and children and works on refugee and human trafficking issues in Moyale was killed by security forces. In 2009, HRDs Oscar Kingara and Paul Oulu of Oscar Foundation were shot dead in Nairobi. In all of these matters, no one has been held to account and police investigations have been inconclusive.
The protection and promotion of the work of HRDs is anchored in international human rights norms. In 1998, a UN General Assembly resolution adopted the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders that codifies the international standards protecting the activities of HRDs around the world. Though not binding, the provisions within this document are echoed in the Kenyan constitution. Despite these international standards, HRDs in Kenya are still operating in a hostile environment.
The NCHRDK and DefendDefenders call on:
For further information, please contact:
Kamau Ngugi
Executive Director, National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Kenya
on: [email protected]
Hassan Shire
Executive Director, DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
on: [email protected]
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