Image Credit: Innocent Onyango

The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SouthernDefenders) and the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (AfricanDefenders) are deeply concerned and strongly condemns the heavy-handed response by the Kenyan police towards peaceful protesters and the tragic loss of life that has resulted from these actions. The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental human rights that must be upheld and protected by all governments.

Since last week, thousands of Kenyan citizens took to the streets of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and other cities to protest against proposed tax hikes. These protests, largely peaceful, have been met with undue aggression from the police, including the use of tear gas, water cannons, and physical violence. It is particularly alarming that these actions have resulted in fatalities, with reports indicating that several individuals have lost their lives due to police actions.

We stand in solidarity with the Kenyan people, particularly the brave human rights defenders who are exercising their constitutional right to protest and express their dissatisfaction with the government’s policies. The use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable and violates international human rights standards.

The SouthernDefenders calls on the Kenyan government to:

• Immediately cease the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters and ensure that law enforcement agencies respect the rights of individuals to assemble and express their views freely.
• Release, without delay, those abducted by the police.
• Conduct an independent investigation into the deaths and injuries caused during these protests and hold those responsible accountable. Transparency and accountability are crucial in restoring public trust and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
• Engage in constructive dialogue with the protesters to address their grievances and find amicable solutions to the issues raised, particularly concerning the proposed tax legislation.
• Respect and protect the rights of human rights defenders who play a crucial role in advocating for social justice and holding governments accountable. Human rights defenders must be allowed to operate without fear of retaliation, harassment, or violence.

We reaffirm our commitment to support human rights defenders across the region and will continue closely monitoring the situation in Kenya. We urge the international community, including regional bodies such as the African Union, to take a stand and support the Kenyan people in their quest for justice and respect for their fundamental rights.