Amnesty International Raises Alarm Over Rising Authoritarianism in Kenya

By Samuel Ouma

Amnesty International Kenya has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a growing trend of state authoritarianism, detailing serious human rights violations carried out in 2024.

The organization released its 2024/25 State of the World’s Human Rights Report, revealing an escalation in crackdowns on civil liberties and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya.

The report paints a grim picture of government intolerance toward dissent, including the suppression of protests, restriction of freedom of expression, and excessive use of force by security agencies. Amnesty cites the killing of at least 65 individuals, the enforced disappearance of 89 others, and the arbitrary arrest of thousands during nationwide protests last year.

“These include the right to protest, freedom of expression, access to health, housing, and protection from violence among others,” the statement reads, referencing key constitutional rights that have been systematically undermined.

Of particular concern is the brutal dispersal of peaceful demonstrators on June 25, 2024, in and around the Kenyan Parliament. The incident, which has gained international attention following the release of the BBC's Blood Parliament documentary, is cited as one of the clearest indicators of the government’s increasing authoritarian leanings.

“Despite promises by the highest levels of government, state institutions mandated to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law have not led to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for nearly one year since protesters were killed within the parliament premises,” Amnesty International Kenya stated.

The documentary corroborates Amnesty’s earlier joint report from September 25, confirming the use of unnecessary and excessive force, including lethal and less-lethal weapons, against unarmed protesters.

Amnesty now demands urgent action from state institutions, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the National Police Service.

“We demand both the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces to act and publicly state the actions being taken with regard to the findings of the Blood Parliament BBC documentary that identifies two state security officers suspected to have killed Erickson Mutisya, David Chege and Eric Shieni,” Amnesty said.

The rights body also criticized the increasing misuse of digital surveillance, online intimidation, and the physical targeting of dissenting voices on social media.

“These actions created a climate of fear for those expressing public criticism and dissent,” the report notes.

Adding to the worrying authoritarian trajectory is the proposed Assembly and Demonstration Bill (2024), which Amnesty believes seeks to restrict constitutionally protected freedoms.

“We urge parliamentarians not to pass the proposed Assembly and Demonstration Bill (2024) that seeks to restrict the constitutional right to assembly,” the organization warned.

The report also highlights the role of economic pressure in silencing dissent, particularly through the proposed introduction of punitive taxes. Amnesty called on the Treasury to explore alternative measures to reduce Kenya’s debt burden, including curbing corruption and wasteful spending.

Amnesty International Kenya also urged citizens not to remain silent.

“We call upon Kenyans to continue their demand for public accountability, good governance, human rights and an end to impunity. We urge the government to respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of all Kenyans and to take immediate steps to reverse the alarming trajectory seen in 2024.”