Human rights in Kenya remain a significant concern, with a consistent pattern of abuses reported by local and international organizations. The recent protests in June 2025 have once again brought these issues to the forefront, exposing the government's perceived disregard for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

Arbitrary or Unlawful Killings-

The use of excessive and often lethal force by security forces against protesters and citizens is a deeply entrenched human rights problem in Kenya. The June 2025 protests served as a stark reminder of this, with reports of numerous deaths and injuries resulting from police action.

• Death of Albert Ojwang: A major flashpoint for the June 2025 protests was the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, in police custody on June 7, 2025. Initially, police claimed he died by suicide, but independent post-mortem examinations revealed blunt force trauma, neck compression, and other injuries consistent with torture and a cover-up. This incident immediately ignited public outrage and fueled calls for police accountability.

• Protest-Related Deaths: Human rights organizations, including Amnesty Kenya and Human Rights Watch, have reported at least 16 deaths and over 400 injuries from the June 2025 protests, largely attributed to police shootings. This follows a similar pattern from the June 2024 "Gen Z" protests, where the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported at least 60 protest-related deaths and 87 abductions between June and October 2024.

• Lack of Accountability: Despite clear evidence and consistent reporting by human rights groups, accountability for these killings remains elusive. As of May 2025, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had completed investigations into only 22 deaths from the 2024 protests, with only two cases reaching court. This persistent lack of prosecution fuels impunity and reinforces public mistrust in law enforcement.

Enforced Disappearances-

Enforced disappearances have seen a worrying surge in Kenya, particularly in the context of political dissent. Missing Voices, a coalition monitoring police killings and enforced disappearances, documented a staggering 450% increase in enforced disappearances in 2024 compared to 2023, with 55 cases recorded.

• Targeting of Activists: Many of these disappearances are linked to crackdowns on anti-government protests, with activists, organizers, and even those perceived to be critical of the government being targeted. These individuals are often abducted by suspected security agents in unmarked vehicles, detained without charge or legal representation, and held incommunicado.

• Ongoing Cases: As of June 2025, the whereabouts of at least 26 people abducted during the 2024 protests remained unknown, according to Human Rights Watch. The practice not only violates the right to liberty and security of person but also inflicts immense suffering on families who are left without answers.

• Failure to Ratify Convention: Kenya has yet to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED), which would criminalize the act and provide a framework for accountability. Human rights organizations continue to push for this ratification and for amendments to domestic law to explicitly criminalize enforced disappearances.

Torture-

Torture remains a grave concern in Kenya, frequently used by security forces during arrests, interrogations, and in detention facilities.

• Custodial Deaths: The death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, with post-mortem findings consistent with torture, is a recent and prominent example. This echoes a disturbing pattern of custodial deaths where torture is suspected.

• Systematic Use in Protests: Organizations like the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) have documented the systematic use of torture as a tool to suppress protests. This includes physical and psychological torture, often in unsanitary and inhumane conditions, with detainees held for extended periods without access to legal counsel. In their "Silenced but Unbowed" report, IMLU documented 601 cases of police torture during the 2024 protests.

• Lack of Redress: Despite documentation and calls for action, justice for victims of torture is rarely achieved. The perpetrators often enjoy impunity, contributing to the cycle of abuse.

Harsh Prison Conditions-

Kenyan prisons are notoriously overcrowded and suffer from harsh and often inhumane conditions, falling far short of international standards.

• Overcrowding: Kenyan prisons are severely overpopulated, with official reports indicating capacities being significantly exceeded. For instance, in early 2025, prisons held approximately 52,000 prisoners against a capacity of 22,000. This leads to severe strain on resources, limited space, and increased risk of disease.

• Inadequate Sanitation and Healthcare: Overcrowding exacerbates poor sanitation, leading to the spread of diseases. Access to adequate healthcare, nutritious food, and clean water is often limited

• Vulnerability to Abuse: The harsh conditions and lack of oversight make prisoners vulnerable to further abuses, including violence from fellow inmates and correctional officers.

• Government Initiatives (Limited Impact): While the government has announced plans to decongest prisons through clemency for petty offenders and those who demonstrate rehabilitation, the impact of these initiatives on addressing the systemic issues of overcrowding and harsh conditions remains to be fully seen.

Conclusion

The state of human rights in Kenya is a critical issue that directly impacts the ongoing social and political unrest. The persistence of arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and appalling prison conditions reflects a deeply troubling pattern of human rights violations by state actors. The government's failure to address these systemic issues, coupled with its heavy-handed response to dissent, further exacerbates public anger and mistrust. Genuine accountability, judicial reform, and a commitment to upholding constitutional rights are crucial steps for Kenya to move towards a more just and rights-respecting society.