The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has filed a lawsuit against Bamburi Cement on behalf of 11 Kwale County residents, citing serious human rights violations.
The petition, submitted to the Kwale High Court, accuses the company’s private security and General Service Unit (GSU) officers of physical assault, unlawful detention, and attacks involving security dogs.
The dispute's heart is access to land in Denyenye Township, where Bamburi Cement owns vast tracts. Residents, who have historically used designated paths to reach the Indian Ocean for fishing and the nearby forest for firewood, claim they have been violently targeted under allegations of trespassing. The company reportedly plans to establish a clinker processing plant on the land.
According to KHRC, the victims—men aged 24 to 60—have suffered brutal beatings, including blows from security personnel armed with rungus and heavy sticks. In multiple incidents, guards allegedly unleashed attack dogs, leading to severe bite injuries on the victims’ arms and legs.
The lawsuit further alleges that those apprehended were never taken to police stations or charged with any crime. Instead, they were denied medical attention, had their fish or firewood confiscated, and in some cases, were forced to pay bribes for their release. Despite reporting these violations to local authorities, no action has been taken.
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Bamburi Cement is the first respondent, while Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor are listed as the second and third respondents.
