Young Kenyans mobilized peacefully, both online and offline, to demand accountability and economic justice during the #RejectFinanceBill protests in 2024. In response, Kenyan security agencies have cracked down on young people’s right to protest through smear campaigns, harassment, surveillance, disappearances, and even killings of young activists. The digital platform X allowed state-sponsored groups to spread coordinated disinformation and harassment against activists, whilst Kenya’s largest telecommunications company, Safaricom, failed to investigate claims of illegal data sharing that is alleged to have allowed security agencies to track down young protesters. This petition calls for bold action, accountability, and protection of Kenya’s digital civic space.

Investigations by Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, Independent Medico-Legal Unit, and Medics for Kenya have documented the following concerning events from that day:

The last known execution in Kenya was recorded in 1987. Although the country does not have an official moratorium on executions in place, it has an established practice of not carrying out executions. While the courts in Kenya continue to impose death sentences, the country has made good progress against the death penalty.

The recent flash floods have left thousands of Kenyans homeless, with many houses destroyed by the unforgiving waters. To make matters worse, the government chose to evict residents living on riparian land in Nairobi’s informal settlements under the guise of evacuation. A mere 48-hour notice was given, which was grossly insufficient. Residents watched in despair as what little they had left was deliberately destroyed by a government that should have protected them in their most vulnerable moments. This incident was not isolated; a similar trend was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The world is reaping a harvest of terrifying consequences from escalating conflict and the near breakdown of international law, said Amnesty International as it launched its annual The State of the World’s Human Rights report today, delivering an assessment of human rights in 155 countries.

The lives of women in Kenya are in constant danger simply because they are women. The indifference of the Kenyan government to protect them can no longer be ignored.

17-year-old Eugine Muriithi was a form one student in Kanjiunduthi boys’ high school in Tharaka Nithi County who allegedly met his death at the hands of police officers after a riot broke out in his school.

Younger users say that they feel TikTok is toxic and addictive. This means that they are at risk of falling into addictive patterns when using the platform and having harmful content displayed in their “For You” feed. Children and young people who view mental health-related content in TikTok’s feed can also be drawn into seeing more videos promoted in their feed that discuss, romanticise and encourage depressive thoughts, self-harm, and suicide.

Dear fellow human rights activists. We write with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency. The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories has deteriorated dramatically in the past few days, leading to the death of over 2,000 (Palestinian and Israeli) people within days.

Throughout history, protest has been a powerful tool for change. Today, powerful people, in Kenya and around the world, are cracking down on our right to protest. It must be protected.

Nairobi, 30th November 2023: Two weeks before the 60th anniversary of Kenyan independence and 75 years after the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Amnesty International Kenya and Tribeless Youth commissioned InfoTrak Research Consulting to conduct an identity-based poll to shed light on the pervasive issue of discrimination in Kenya. The poll, conducted between 10th and 15th November, sampled over 3000 Kenyans from all 47 counties. We commend the finding that 69% of Kenyans identify themselves primarily based on their nationality first before their tribes and religion. This highlights a strong sense of national identity among the populace. We call on leaders to foster more grounds that unite Kenyans and promote national unity, democracy, and participation of the people.

Authorities across the world are increasingly resorting to unlawful use of force and repressive legislation to crush protests, Amnesty International said today, as it launched an interactive digital map that exposes the shocking rise in the repression of protesters by states across the globe.