Kenya has been listed among 50 sub-Saharan African nations accused of suppressing human rights over the past year, according to the *People Power Under Attack 2024* report by global civil society organization CIVICUS.
The report downgraded Kenya’s rating from “obstructed” to “repressed,” citing widespread police brutality during the Gen Z protests in mid-2024. The protests resulted in the deaths of at least 60 unarmed demonstrators, while over 1,000 people were arrested.
“Abductions of protesters and online supporters have continued months after the protests, as security forces target individuals they suspect of involvement, creating a chilling effect on civic freedoms,” the report stated.
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Kenya’s downgrade placed it alongside Eswatini, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso, which also saw their ratings decline due to restrictions on fundamental freedoms. The CIVICUS ranking categorizes countries into five levels based on their respect for human rights and freedoms: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed, and closed.
The report accused Kenyan authorities of using excessive force to suppress peaceful protests, engaging in abductions, and prosecuting human rights defenders, activists, and journalists. It also highlighted allegations of extrajudicial killings and police-led abductions during the demonstrations.
In contrast, countries such as Botswana and Liberia improved their rankings by fostering political expression and upholding human rights.
International stakeholders, including the United States and various human rights organizations, have urged Kenya to hold law enforcement officers accountable for the alleged abuses. However, President William Ruto has defended the police, denying any culpability for excessive force.
“Criminals have caused immense harm, and I must protect everybody, especially innocent people,” Ruto said during a June 2024 media interview.
