Victims of abductions in Kenya are calling for an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged state-sponsored human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, police brutality, and extrajudicial killings. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), along with local organizations and victims, has filed a petition urging the ICC to examine these violations as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute.
Kenya has seen a troubling increase in human rights violations, particularly targeting human rights defenders and activists. Victims like Bob Njagi and Aslam Longtom shared their harrowing experiences at a recent press conference, revealing that they were tortured by security forces simply for advocating for economic reform and better governance. Both victims highlighted the failure of Kenya’s justice system to investigate or prosecute these abuses.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has also expressed concern, condemning the rise in forced disappearances and the intimidation of human rights defenders. The KNCHR emphasized that such violations cannot be normalized and called on the government to uphold constitutional duties to protect citizens’ rights to safety and expression.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also reported ongoing failures to address police brutality and arbitrary detentions, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 protests. HRW’s November 2024 report pointed to a lack of accountability for the violent suppression of demonstrations, underscoring the need for justice for the victims of police violence.
As human rights groups continue to push for international intervention, the situation in Kenya remains dire, with calls for accountability growing louder both domestically and globally.
