Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Houghton Irungu was on Tuesday arrested while participating in the ongoing End Femicide protests in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
Irungu joins an unconfirmed number of Kenyans who have been taken into custody by police officers actively lobbying teargas at the protestors since they kicked off this morning.
In a video shared by Amnesty Kenya on X, the plain-clothed officers are captured forcefully taking Irungu away as fellow Kenyans unsuccessfully try to pull him away.
Shouts of “What has he done?” go unanswered and he’s placed at the back of a police vehicle.
In a statement following the arrest, the human rights group shared that Irungu had been arrested alongside three others.
“Our Executive Director, Irungu Houghton, and 3 others have been arrested during the #EndFemicideKE peaceful protests. This brazen attack on the right to assembly is an affront to justice. We demand their immediate and unconditional release,” the statement reads.
Since the protests kicked off this morning, police interference has been reported disheartening those participating in the march.
Starting the day with reports of teargas to fend off the protestors, live updates from social media have confirmed that police and plain-clothed individuals suspected to be police officers have begun arresting the protestors.
Media personality Adelle Onyango who has been actively posting updates on the protests also reported witnessing a similar arrest.
“Plain-clothed cops near JKUAT towers seem to have arrested a guy in a white polo shirt, blue pants, and dreadlocks. Unfortunately didn't get his name/pic. Also another cop car near Nation Center so please avoid that area,” she warned.
Irungu’s arrest came within the hour of Amnesty International releasing a joint statement with the Law Society of Kenya and two others urging the police to back off and let Kenyans exercise their rights to protest.
“We stand in solidarity with the brave individuals who marched today despite the violence they faced,” the statement read.
“Their actions reflect the urgent need to address femicide protect women and ensure accountability for those who perpetuate violence.”
They then called upon the government to release detained protestors, uphold human rights obligations, and take immediate action to end femicide and police brutality.
