Overview
The Missing Voices 2025 Annual Report exposes the continued crisis of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya. Behind every statistic is a life cut short, a family left behind, and a justice system that too often fails to act.
Since 2018, the Missing Voices Coalition has documented and verified cases of police killings and enforced disappearances across Kenya. Through data-driven advocacy, survivor-centered storytelling, and sustained public engagement, the coalition continues to push for justice and systemic reform.
The 2025 report builds on this work, presenting verified data, trends, survivor testimonies, and concrete recommendations for change.
Key Highlights
- 131 total incidents of police violence recorded in 2025
- 125 cases of police killings (a 20% increase from 2024)
- 6 cases of enforced disappearances (an 89% decrease from 2024)
- Over 50% of killings occurred during protest periods in June and July
- 90% of victims were men, with youth (19–35) most affected
- Shootings remain the leading cause of death, accounting for the vast majority of cases
Key Findings
- Protests Are Becoming Deadly: Police killings spike during public demonstrations. In 2025, June and July alone accounted for more than half of all killings, highlighting the continued use of excessive force in managing dissent.
- Youth Are Paying the Highest Price: Young people, particularly men aged 19–35, remain the most targeted demographic, reflecting deeper patterns of profiling, stigma, and state violence.
- Impunity Persists: Despite widespread violations:
- Many cases never proceed through the justice system
- Oversight bodies like IPOA remain underfunded and overstretched
- Families face long delays, intimidation, and lack of protection
- Enforced Disappearances Remain Underreported: While the number dropped in 2025, enforced disappearances continue, especially linked to anti-government protest operations.
- Geographic Concentration of Violence: Urban centers, particularly Nairobi, continue to record the highest number of police killings, reinforcing long-standing patterns of state violence in densely populated areas.