General situation
In recent years, femicide has persistently escalated, with the situation continuing to escalate in 2024. Statistics reveal that within the first two weeks of the year, perpetrators brutally murdered eight young women. Data from January 2016 to December 2023 indicates that at least 500 women became victims of femicide, with many cases tragically going unreported. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime documented 706 femicide victims in Kenya alone in 2022. In response to this crisis, thousands of women and concerned citizens across major towns mobilised protests, demanding swift action against sexual and gender-based violence, shedding light on systemic gaps in government responses, and fervently advocating for justice.
Peaceful Assembly
In October 2023, police arrested three pro-Palestinian protesters following a peaceful social gathering organised by the Kenya Palestinian Solidarity Committee at Cheche Bookshop and Café in Nairobi’s Lavington area. The protest was held in support of Palestine and the occupied territories to express solidarity amidst the ongoing bombardment of Palestine by Israel which followed Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Earlier, a similar protest had been scheduled to take place in front of the US embassy in Nairobi to protest the US’ alleged role in the ongoing bombardment of Palestine by Israel, but this was cancelled following communication by the police that it did not adhere to the necessary protocol.
Similarly, on 26th January 2024, Kenyan police used tear gas and intimidation to disperse protests and arrested human rights activists staging a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Nairobi despite having obtained a ‘permit’ from the police. The protest was held during a visit to Kenya by the German Foreign Minister. Germany has been criticised for what many have seen as supporting Israel’s bombardment of Palestine and facilitating genocide in Palestine.
On 27th January 2024, Kenya witnessed peaceful nationwide protests against the surge in femicide, as police refrained from using force. Thousands of women and concerned citizens rallied in major towns, demanding action against sexual and gender-based violence, and highlighting gaps in government responses while calling for justice.
On 30th January 2024, police dispersed protesting youth outside Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi with tear gas. The demonstrators opposed the Court of Appeal’s ruling which upheld a previous High Court decision that declared unconstitutional a housing levy imposed on employed Kenyans by a finance law passed in June 2023. The court declined to suspend the High Court's judgment which found the law discriminatory as it would only be effected on employed Kenyans, citing public interest. The protestors, who were dressed as construction workers, demanded that the government continue with the housing project which they said provided them with employment amidst the country’s high unemployment rate.
The housing levy is to be calculated at 1.5% of an employee’s gross income, an amount which would be matched by an employer, who will also be required to deduct and remit the levy together with other statutory payroll deductions. The levy is slated to fund President William Ruto’s plan to build up to 250,000 low-cost homes per year under his regime, which employees will purchase through their contributions. The levy has however received heavy criticism from experts and has received heavy pushback from the citizenry.
On 29th February 2024, Kenyan police using tear gas dispersed doctors protesting in Nairobi against delayed medical intern postings and poor working conditions. Over 20 protestors sustained injuries. Dr Atellah, Secretary General of the Dentist Union (KMPDU) who was one of the protestors, suffered severe injuries from a tear gas canister. Despite protestors adhering to proper notification protocols and maintaining peaceful intentions, the police resorted to violent repression.
Association
In January 2024, armed bandits, suspected to be from the neighboring community, fatally shot three peace ambassadors in the Kesoch area of Marakwet West. The three were on a peace mission aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
On 9th February 2024, a group of more than seven armed individuals brutally attacked Chris Owalla, a human rights defender advocating for social and environmental justice, as he left the funeral of local journalist Dickens Ochieng Wasonga. This attack is believed to be linked to his prior complaints against the County Government of Siaya regarding the mismanagement of public funds.
Expression
On 16th December 2023, authorities discovered the body of political activist and blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, who had been missing since 2nd December 2023. Government pathologist Johansen Oduor, who examined the body, confirmed that he died from strangulation. before being thrown into a river. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that further investigations were ongoing, with four suspects already under investigation, including a police officer and a local DJ.
On 5th January 2024, club bouncers assaulted five journalists and multiple officers during a drug enforcement operation at Nairobi’s Kettle House Bar and Grill as authorities cracked down on the shisha drug in Kenya. Among the journalists, Jane Kibira of KBC sustained a stab wound in the back, while Boniface Bogita and Bonface Okendo sustained serious injuries. Lawrence Tikolo from Citizen TV was punched and had his camera broken by the attackers. Medical personnel attended to the injured journalists, discharging Kibira, while Bogita and Okendo received treatment and were reported to be recovering. Notably, the attackers confiscated Okendo's camera and memory card.
On 25th January 2024, authorities assaulted and arrested Millian Nyamoita, a human rights defender from Mukuru Community Justice Center (CJC), and a citizen journalist with Sema Ukweli, for documenting police brutality in the Mukuru slum.
On 1st February 2024, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) assaulted Osinde Obare, a correspondent with the Standard Media Group, while he attempted to film the arrest of a traffic officer caught accepting bribes from motorists on the Kitale-Kapenguria road. During the argument, the journalist endured multiple slaps, and his phone was damaged.
On 11th February 2024, Citizen TV, a national television channel, cancelled TV show Shamba la Wanyama from airing on its platform, just days after it aired its pilot episode on 4th February 2024. The show is based on the novel, Animal Farm, by George Orwell, which features a prosperity gospel businessman disguised as a church leader, who makes money from his congregants by selling hope to the hopeless. Although Citizen TV did not formally provide a reason for the show’s cancellation, the show was critisiced by some as being blasphemous, raising speculation that some powerful people were behind its cancellation.