Nairobi, 30 December 2024: The Law Society of Kenya, Medics For Kenya, Kenya Medical Association and Police Reforms Working Group closely monitored and documented the forceful disruption of peaceful citizen’s protests across Embu, Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret throughout the day.
At least fifty unarmed protesters including Senator Okiya Omtatah, former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame and several human rights defenders were repeatedly teargassed and arrested by uniformed officers across Nairobi (21), Mombasa (13) and Eldoret (16). Eighteen protesters were injured in Nairobi (17) and Mombasa (1). Protesters were struck by tear gas canisters (2), sustained blunt force injuries (3), minor cuts (8) and suffered tear gas inhalation and had to be resuscitated (5). At least four protesters were reportedly assaulted and tortured with batons and rifle butts in a Nairobi Central Police Station cell.
Despite the Malindi High Court Ruling prohibiting police from concealing their identity while policing protests, some police officers were hooded, police cars had their registration numbers concealed with tape or lacked rear numberplates including those deployed in Kitengela. The use of horses to intimidate protesters were observed in Nairobi.
Despite police provocation, protesters remained peaceful, chanting and sang the national anthem while calling for the immediate release of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplangat, Steve Kavingo and all others abducted and being held since last week.
Those arrested were held Mombasa Central police station (13), Nairobi Central police station (19), Kasarani police station (1), Eldoret Central police station (16) and Gigiri police station (1). Seven of the 50 arrested persons are female. Business in Nairobi, Embu and Mombasa was disrupted with many businesses closed. Police prevented public service vehicles from accessing Nairobi City Centre. There were no incidents of destruction and looting reported. We condemn the instances of disproportionate and unnecessary use of violence against peaceful and unarmed protesters. We note that Kenyans in the diaspora were facilitated to hold a public protest in Australia. We believe this too, is possible in our beloved country, Kenya.
We thank the pro bono lawyers and voluntary doctors who are currently seeking the release and medical treatment of the peaceful protesters and bystanders who were hurt during the day. We urge the National Police Service to unconditionally release of all protesters currently in police custody.
The following helplines remain available to report or to seek assistance for human rights violations
| Kenya National Commission on Human Rights | 0800720627 |
| Law Society of Kenya | 0800720434 |
| Defenders Coalition | 0716200100 |
| Independent Medical Legal Unit | 0800721401 |
| Medics4Kenya | 0711911911 / 0712911911 |
| Independent Policing Oversight Authority Toll Free | 1559 |
Ends. 18:30 hrs
This statement is signed by the Law Society of Kenya, MedicsForKenya, Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Defenders Coalition, Katiba Institute, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).