There is a dangerous pattern taking root across East Africa: when confronted with uncomfortable truths, governments are increasingly choosing propaganda, denial, and digital repression over accountability and dialogue. It is the oldest authoritarian reflex: bury your head in the sand, deny citizens’ lived experiences, and drown out dissent with noise. Yet history shows that this strategy never works in the long run, and often makes the eventual fallout far more explosive. Tanzania’s recent response to the shocking CNN investigation showing police fatally shooting protesters and signs of mass graves is a clear example. Rather than engage with the evidence, the Government Spokesperson swiftly dismissed the investigation as “unprofessional and unacceptable,” accusing neighbouring countries of pushing “propaganda” to tarnish Tanzania’s image. This defensiveness is complemented by the suppression of protest footage through a near-total internet blackout and threats to jail anyone sharing post-election violence videos. It was a calculated attempt to control perception rather than address the disturbing reality on the ground. But governments must learn a simple lesson: you can blackout the internet, but you cannot blackout reality.

Described by the Citizen News Gang as having lost “its innocence,” Tanzania is in a political meltdown. After days of internet shutdowns, blackouts, and curfews, the truth is slowly beginning to shine through the state’s efforts to censor or control information. This raises credible concerns about the conditions of Tanzanian protesters and Kenyans caught up in the violence.

As we mark the third anniversary of the 2022 General Elections today, Kenya’s governance is fragile and rudderless. Citizens have perfected mass strategies to cancel misgovernance, yet grapple for ways of connecting and charting a way past their disappointment with the current leadership. Navigating the current turbulence will require new state systems to listen and interact with public concerns. A new opportunity has emerged in the Public Participation Bill (2025) currently before the National Assembly.

This week, several people arrested during the June-July protests – including boda boda riders, fisherfolk, politicians, and security officers – were charged in Kenya’s counterterrorism Kahawa Law Courts. The Supreme Council of Muslims (SUPKEM) also released its report on how the criminal justice system responds to religious extremism. While these two events may seem unrelated, SUPKEM’s findings shed light on a worrying trend: the growing use of harsh legal measures to silence dissent.

Tuesday, 15th July 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya: The Police Reforms Working Group expresses deep concern over the widespread human rights violations and loss of life that occurred during the July 7, 2025, Saba Saba Day protests. These events, symbolic of Kenya’s hard-won democratic gains, were marred by state violence, unlawful policing tactics, and systemic impunity.

JUNE 2025

NAIROBI, Monday, July 7, 2025: Saba Saba Day symbolises our nation’s enduring struggle for democracy, civil liberties and political reform. On 7 July 1990, Kenyans across six towns took to the streets to demand free elections and an end to the authoritarian practices of the one-party state. Police killed 20, arrested and charged 1,056 people.

By tabling the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025, ODM Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has stirred another national beehive. Critics argue the bill curtails the right to assembly, and youth are not threatening to ‘salimia’ her and MPs who support it. With fresh protests planned for Saba Saba Day on Monday, 7 July, what are the bill’s merits and drawbacks?

Nairobi, Wednesday, June 25, 2025: The Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group and the Kenya Medical Association express condolences to the families of the eight protesters who were killed today. At least 400 others were treated, with 83 of them referred to specialized treatment for serious injuries. At least eight protesters have been treated for gunshot wounds. Three of the injured include police officers. While these figures are confirmed by medics and human rights defenders, sadly, the exact figures may only be known in the course of time.

Nairobi, Wednesday, June 25, 2025: The Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group and Kenya Medical Association express grave concern over the directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) directing Kenyan media houses to cease live broadcasts of ongoing protests, citing violations of Article 33(2) of the Kenyan Constitution.

Tomorrow marks one year since the historic #OccupyParliament protest shook the nation’s conscience. As Kenyans prepare to take to the streets again this June 25th, peacefully and within their constitutional right, it is not just a protest. It is a mirror held up to the National Police Service (NPS), a test of whether it serves the Constitution or cowers to political masters.

Tuesday’s street anarchy in Nairobi had me scrambling for dusty copies of the Commission on Inquiry, Ransley and Kriegler reports on 2007/2008 Post Election Violence. Within 72 hours, key figures accused of coordinating the mayhem had criticised the violence, some instigators had apologised, and several national and international voices had condemned the six hours of carnage. What happened to rapidly de-escalate the situation?