By Irũngũ Houghton Now under new management, the Power of Mercy Committee may have generated both a celebratory win and more controversy for the Presidency. Last week President Ruto commuted sentences for death row prisoners to life imprisonment. The Committee also advised the president to pardon 37 prisoners with some very troubled backgrounds. The first…
By Irũngũ Houghton Public reaction to the sentencing of Baby Sagini’s cousin, grandmother, and aunt this week seems muffled in contrast to the widespread horror expressed seven months ago. Seeking justice is often a long process. Distracted by our own daily challenges, we often miss the all-important end to a chapter of injustice that once…
The right to assemble, protest and demonstrate has been in focus once again this year. Since March, the Azimio La Umoja demonstrations against the cost of living have been marred by violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Several human rights organisations, claim police have committed atrocities and used unlawful force in areas like Nyalenda,…
Recently, the Court of Appeal declared mandatory life imprisonment unconstitutional. The three-judge decision came from a petition by Julius Kitsao, who was convicted of defiling a four-year-old girl under Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act. He argued that imposing a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment was unconstitutional. The court agreed with some of…
By Irũngũ Houghton Fuelled by a volatile cocktail of political and economic grievances, protests were met with increased police violence across several counties this week. We know from other countries that mass public protests can be managed within a fraction of the deaths, injuries, and destruction we have seen recently. What is not happening, my…
Due to inflation, a weakening Kenyan Shilling, higher taxes, an unsustainable debt burden, rampant corruption and a lack of accountability, Kenya is facing a cost of living crisis. The initial Finance Legislation proposed by the government, which has been suspended pending a challenge in the Constitutional Court, is expected to impose significant tax increases. These…
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] Wednesday’s protests are the most violent yet. Observing the protests, the constitution’s drafters must have struggled to see any…
With less than five media mentions of Shakahola over the last month, it is safe to say national amnesia and possibly trauma has kicked in and the public has moved on. Appearing before the Danson Mungatana-led Senate Ad hoc committee this week, I found myself reflecting how we can stop religious cults from unleashing future…
Nairobi, 5 July 2023: Amnesty International Kenya welcomes the opportunity to come before the Senate Adhoc Committee today. Amnesty International Kenya, alongside Haki Africa, Muhuri and other human rights organisations, condemned the gross human rights violations arising from the mass starvation, suffocation, strangulation, and blunt force trauma of hundreds of Kenyan citizens. As of June…
By Benta Moige Climate change has, over time, altered weather patterns which have altered day-to-day operations and continue to threaten individuals’ well-being. The right to food, adequate water and housing have been dwindling due to tremendous changes in weather patterns and human activities. Alteration of precipitation patterns has led to reduced rainfall or increased rainfall…
By Irũngũ Houghton A decade ago, I found myself on the wrong side of the law and face to face with a child defilement case. Monday’s launch of new judicial strategies and institutions offers new hope that we can bring down the insane current levels of violence against boys and girls. Driving past Thika town,…
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] Early this month, the ODPP charged a pharmacist for allegedly performing an abortion on a 15-year-old girl who became…