Last week, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, did something both alarming and deeply irresponsible. He issued a shoot-to-kill directive to police officers, targeting anyone who “attempts to attack” the police during protests. While such a statement may win him points with hardliners who view protestors as an inconvenience, it is, in every possible way, a betrayal of the Constitution, a threat to public safety, and a green light for impunity.

Nairobi, 26 June 2025: Yesterday’s violence has claimed at least 16 lives and led to 400 injuries as of 9 pm last night. We have received reports that some police officers are allegedly misadvising victims’ families to bury their loved ones without a postmortem.

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?

The brutal murder of Albert Ojwang while in police custody has yet again pricked the country’s moral conscience, reminding us that police reforms are more necessary now than ever before.

Despite the Kenyan Government’s silence, the detailed accounts of East African human rights defenders Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire at the hands of Tanzanian police officers remains deeply disturbing one week on. Their courage to tell all has opened the world’s eyes to some of the worst human rights abuses in East Africa. The veil lifted, this week international attention shifted to the persecution of prominent religious leaders who have dared to criticize the Government’s behaviour.

The release of BBC “Blood Parliament” documentary and the Amnesty International 2024-2025 Kenya report whipped up a political storm this week. Accusations of bad faith completely miss the point. Victim centered thinking knows, only justice, not amnesia, heals national wounds.

Nairobi, 5 May 2025: Victims’ families, Amnesty International Kenya, Utu Wetu Trust, the International Justice Mission and the Police Reforms Working Group condemn the DPP’s dropping of charges against eight of the twelve police commanders and officers who were initially included the original charge case.

The visit of the Dutch royal couple provided another opportunity to alert the international community that accountability and justice for the 65 dead young protesters, the 89 who were abducted and those still injured like Nyerian Brian Mwangi, remains unaddressed. It also created a moment to test whether the Netherlands could combine respect for human rights and democratic governance and their business and trade interests in Kenya.

The moment all authoritarians dread showed up this week. Despite several efforts to insulate himself from the deaths of thousands of Filipinos, former President Rodrigo Duterte (71) was arrested Tuesday. Now before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, what signal does this send to other authoritarians world-wide?

As Dutch authorities prepare for the official state visit to Kenya this week to intensify bilateral Dutch-Kenya relations, Amnesty International calls on both authorities to place human rights at the heart of the visit, address human rights violations and commit to accountability for all victims following the recent brutal crackdown on human rights. 

In a time of mounting challenges to human rights, our collective resilience continues to shine through. This edition of the Amnesty Kenya Gazette is a testament to the power of activism, solidarity, and unwavering commitment to justice. From exposing human rights violations and holding power to account, to standing in solidarity with communities demanding change, we remain steadfast in our mission. We bring you stories of courage—of individuals and movements refusing to stay silent in the face of oppression. We honour those who have dedicated their lives to the fight for justice, even as we mourn the loss of a tireless champion in the education sector. As we turn these pages, let us remember: the struggle for dignity, freedom, and accountability is one we must continue—together, and without fear.