The global civil society alliance CIVICUS has called on Kenyan President William Ruto to urgently release 20 protesters reported missing following recent civil unrest in the country. In a statement released on Wednesday, CIVICUS expressed grave concern over the systematic pattern of violence and repression directed at dissenters in Kenya, particularly focusing on the abduction and enforced disappearances of individuals involved in anti-government protests.
CIVICUS’ call comes amid growing international alarm over the Kenyan government’s response to protests against a controversial Finance Bill in June 2024. The bill, which proposed significant tax hikes in a time of economic hardship, sparked nationwide demonstrations. Despite efforts by the National Police Service to manage the protests, violent crackdowns led to the deaths of at least 60 people and the detention of over 1,200 individuals. More than 130 people remain missing, with many feared to have been forcibly disappeared by security forces.
In response to the mounting human rights concerns, CIVICUS downgraded Kenya’s civic space rating to “repressed,” citing state-sanctioned violence, unlawful detentions, and widespread intimidation of human rights defenders. The organization has urged the Kenyan government to address these violations by releasing those unjustly detained, holding accountable those responsible for violence against protesters, and ensuring the protection of civil liberties.
The abductions and unlawful detentions have drawn condemnation from several international human rights groups, who have pointed out the ongoing trend of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has documented numerous cases of enforced disappearances, underlining the need for urgent action from both local and international bodies to safeguard human rights.
The unrest has its roots in public dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies and ongoing issues of corruption and mismanagement. Citizens, grappling with rising taxes and living costs, viewed the Finance Bill as exacerbating an already dire economic situation, leading to widespread protests. However, the government’s response to the growing dissent has been marked by heavy-handed repression, escalating tensions and further violations of fundamental freedoms.
CIVICUS and other advocacy groups continue to call for comprehensive reforms, accountability for the abuse of power by security forces, and the protection of free speech and assembly in Kenya.
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