As the world marks International Human Rights Day, ICJ Kenya reflects on the state of human rights and the rule of law in our country. This day reminds us that human rights are not optional aspirations but binding constitutional obligations as set out in Chapter Four and Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya; values that must guide every citizen, arm of government and exercise of public power. This year, Kenya witnessed alarming human rights violations, particularly during the June and July 2025 protests, where over 60 people died. The policing of assemblies once again exposed deep failures in the use of force and firearms, resulting
in deaths, injuries, and trauma.
Regrettably, these victims join a long list of Kenyans who have lost their lives and many more who continue to bear the personal cost of politically instigated violence. We reiterate that policing must always be grounded in legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability. In this regard, we urge the Government to act swiftly to enforce the recent judgment of the High Court in Petition E010/2025, to ensure effective reparation to all affected victims by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, within a victim-centered legal and policy framework. The just-concluded elections of 27 November 2025 also raised serious concerns. Reports of vote-buying, intimidation, and violence against political rivals cast doubt on the integrity of the process. ICJ Kenya calls on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Inspector General of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to initiate swift investigations and ensure accountability against direct perpetrators and enablers of the violence and electoral malpractices.
This is the time for duty bearers to send a clear signal that the use of violence as a tool to obtain political control will not be tolerated in Kenya’s constitutional democratic dispensation. We also urge the IEBC and Parliament to urgently initiate essential electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 General Election.
We also note with concern the shrinking civic and digital space. Arrests and prosecutions under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, especially following the contentious 2025 amendments, threaten freedom of expression online and offline. Provisions enabling arbitrary internet shutdowns, and the criminalisation of false publication, defamation and other vague offences, pose a grave danger to democratic participation. These provisions are currently under challenge before the High Court and Court of Appeal, and we urge the courts to determine these matters expeditiously in a manner that advances justice and constitutionalism. Beyond our borders, ICJ Kenya is deeply disturbed by ongoing atrocity crimes in neighboring Tanzania, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We stand in solidarity with victims and call for robust regional and international cooperation to restore peace and hold to account the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. We call on the Kenyan authorities to cease participating in transnational repression and to call for the release of political detainees held in Uganda and Tanzania, and particularly Hon. Kizza Besigye, who has been in detention for over a year since his abduction and unlawful rendition from
Kenya to Uganda in November 2024, and Hon. Tundu Lissu who remains imprisoned in Tanzania.
At home, corruption continues to divert scarce public resources from essential social and economic needs to benefit a few.
This cancer undermines development, trust, and the very fabric of society. We call on the DPP, the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, and the Judiciary to intensify efforts to ensure that those who plunder public resources are prosecuted, punished, and barred from public service. As we mark the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, ICJ Kenya is concerned that sexual and gender-based violence, including the disturbing rise in femicide, remains a national crisis. We call for coordinated, well
resourced action to ensure that every woman and girl, as well as men and boys in Kenya can live a dignified life free from violence, discrimination, and fear. As we commemorate this day, let us all be reminded of our duty as citizens, and the responsibility of all state actors to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil human rights. Human rights are the foundation of our peace, justice, and democracy. ICJ Kenya reaffirms its commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that Kenya remains a country where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld.
The Chairperson
ICJ Kenya