Lest We Forget: The Price of Speaking Truth to Power

History will remember the Gen Z protests—not just for the courage that filled the streets, but for the lives shattered by the very institutions meant to protect them. In the name of law and order, tear gas, batons, bullets, and silence were wielded against young Kenyans who dared to dream of a better country. Families mourned, communities bore scars, and survivors—those who lived to tell their stories—carried wounds both seen and unseen.

Over the month of March, we released a three-part documentary series that unflinchingly exposes police brutality during last year’s Gen Z protests. Told through a survivor-centred methodology, these documentaries capture the harrowing realities of state violence—not as abstract numbers, but through the lived experiences of those who suffered its wrath. Their testimonies are not just calls for justice; they are acts of defiance, declarations of dignity, and a refusal to be erased.

Video Series

The first episode introduces us to 16-year-old Brian Amoit, a child whose only ‘crime’ was stepping outside to buy maize flour in Kisumu. He never made it back home that day. Instead, he was mercilessly beaten by the police, left unconscious on the roadside. Three weeks later, he woke up at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, struggling with memory lapses and concentration challenges that have since disrupted his education. In a single moment, his future was altered—not by fate, but by the brutality of the state.

The second story, told through the grief-stricken voice of a mother, is that of Benson Mbithi Ouma, fondly known as Scott. At 29, he was a hardworking tout at the Kisumu Bus Terminus, tirelessly building towards his dream of moving into his own house by December 2024. But on June 25, that dream was stolen from him. That evening, his mother, Penina Mueni, received the phone call that no parent should ever have to take—her son had been shot and was fighting for his life in ICU. By the time his sister, Faith, reached the hospital the next morning, Scott was gone. Nine bullets. Nine. A young life silenced before it could fully blossom.

Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Commitment to Equality

This year’s International Women’s Day was more than just a celebration—it was a bold reaffirmation of our commitment to gender equality. We kicked off the festivities with a fun-filled recording session, where our team pledged to champion gender equality and hold each other accountable. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as many of us stepped in front of the camera, turning personal commitments into collective action. Click on the play button to watch these inspiring pledges!

The momentum continued on March 7th, when our Board Chairperson, Dr Stella Bosire, took centre stage at the Women’s Conference held at the Kenya School of Government. Under the theme Bridging Generations: Advancing Gender Equality, Harnessing Innovation, she delivered a powerful message on the importance of educating girls, sustaining movements, and prioritizing wellness. Her words resonated deeply: “It is when we are well that we fuel the movement.”

Three Wins in the Corridors of Justice

In a resounding victory for justice and dignity, the Nubian community secured a landmark ruling after the Court of Appeal in Kisumu dismissed an appeal by Kenya Railways that would have rendered many community members landless and homeless. The three-judge bench—Justices Asike Makhandia, Luka Kimaru, and Hellen Omondi—upheld the High Court’s earlier finding that Kenya Railways had violated the community’s right to housing under Article 43 of the Constitution.

“By destroying the respondents’ houses, churches, and schools, the appellant denied the respondents’ socio-economic and cultural rights,” read part of the powerful judgment. The court affirmed that evidence had been properly considered by Justice Antony Ombwayo and found no merit in the appellant’s claims. This ruling is more than a legal victory—it is a recognition of the historical marginalization and dignity of the Nubian people.

In another major win for justice, the Court of Appeal cleared the way for the prosecution of 11 senior police officers implicated in the murder of six-month-old Samantha Pendo during the 2017 post-election violence. The officers, who had attempted to halt proceedings under the pretext of conflicting laws between the Kenyan Constitution and the Rome Statute, had their application dismissed. In a unanimous decision, Justices Patrick Kiage, Weldon Korir, and Joel Ngugi ruled that justice must take its course, allowing the High Court prosecution to proceed under the International Crimes Act. This ruling renews hope that baby Pendo’s family—and all victims of electoral violence—may yet see justice served.

RIGHTS Click Alliance: Youth Voices at the Centre of Digital Freedoms

In March, members of the RIGHTS Click Alliance came together to shape our 2025 agenda for protecting the digital rights of children and young adults. With renewed energy, we outlined bold plans to advocate for safer online spaces, strengthen digital literacy, and amplify young voices across Kenya.

RIGHTS Click Alliance is a growing network of civil society organizations united in championing digital rights for children and youth. We believe in the power of collective action to drive policy reforms, protect digital freedoms, and empower the next generation to navigate technology safely and responsibly.

Does your organization work with young people and care deeply about digital rights? Join us in shaping a more just and secure digital future.

Spotlight on Data Governance: Nurturing the Next Generation

We proudly supported the award ceremony for the inaugural Data Governance Essay Competition, hosted by the Data Privacy and Governance Students Association – UoN, in collaboration with Amnesty International Kenya and Data Governance Pros Kenya.

Students from five universities across the country submitted compelling essays, contributing rich academic insight to Kenya’s evolving data governance landscape. At Amnesty, we believe that nurturing young researchers and scholars is essential to building a resilient and inclusive data ecosystem.

Global Reflections on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action

Our Tech and Human Rights Manager joined global experts at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, for a landmark workshop hosted by the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy. The gathering marked the 10th anniversary of the ICRC and UNHCR data protection frameworks and the Global Privacy Assembly’s resolution on data in humanitarian action.

We were honored to contribute a paper on Community Perspectives on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action, informed by our grassroots work in Kenya. The discussions affirmed a shared truth: the humanitarian sector must evolve alongside technology to uphold human dignity and privacy in times of crisis.

Privacy First Campaign: Youth Take the Lead

Twelve energized campaigners from Nairobi and Mombasa kicked off their journey in March with intensive training under the Privacy First Campaign – a youth-led initiative empowering university students to lead bold, creative campaigns for digital rights.

This initiative is more than training – it’s about building national networks of young advocates shaping Kenya’s digital future. Be on the lookout for their upcoming campaigns as they challenge privacy violations, inspire public dialogue, and push for meaningful policy change.