The United States has highlighted an increase in human rights violations in Kenya in its latest 2024 Kenya Human Rights Report.
The report revealed that the human rights situation in Kenya deteriorated in 2024.
The report cited several significant issues, including arbitrary or unlawful killings, disappearances, torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and arbitrary arrest or detention. It also highlighted transnational repression against individuals in other countries.
The report also highlighted serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists and censorship. It also noted the significant presence of the worst forms of child labour.
The report cast a spotlight on law enforcement authorities, particularly during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, where they were accused of committing numerous abuses, including unlawful killings, physical violence, and arbitrary arrests and detentions.
“Kenya experienced a deterioration in the human rights situation during the year,” the report read in part.
“The government took steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, but impunity was a problem at all levels of government,” it added.
On the issue of extra-judicial killings, the report highlighted the alleged killings in the Gen Z protests over the proposed 2024 Finance Bill, which was accompanied by alleged excessive and unlawful police action.
“There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings during the year, particularly during youth-led, nationwide “Gen Z” demonstrations in June and July to protest proposed tax increases,” the report read.
Other human rights violations highlighted in the report related to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. These were mostly prevalent during protests, where police allegedly used live ammunition and tear gas, resulting in injuries.
Another form of human rights violation was media censorship. The report noted that this was evident during the protests, when government officials allegedly attempted to restrict media coverage of the demonstrations, both publicly and privately.
“President William Ruto called on media to report responsibly during the protests, claiming several media houses 'glorified anarchy by providing selective live coverage of the demonstrations,” the report stated.
In the area of transnational repression, the report referenced the alleged abduction of Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader, kidnapped by Ugandan agents while visiting Nairobi.
“Kenyan government officials claimed they were unaware of the abduction, but Ugandan authorities maintained it was a coordinated action,” the report noted.
