Acting High Commissioner,

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.

Nairobi, 27th July 2025. The Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K) strongly condemns the enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, and continued harassment of Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi, as well as the lackluster response from Kenyan authorities, whose agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), met his family’s pleas for assistance with indifference and institutional apathy.

Amnesty International welcomes the news that Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi has been found alive after Mwabili Mwagodi’s enforced disappearance in Tanzania. We salute the public pressure generated by his family, the public, and the leadership of VOCAL Africa and Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri), as well as others.

Nairobi, Kenya July 26, 2025: Amnesty International is deeply alarmed by the reported abduction and disappearance of Kenyan human rights activist Mwabili Mwagodi in Tanzania on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. Mwagodi, known for his outspoken criticism of political influence in religious institutions and his mobilization of youth movements in Kenya, was last seen in Dar es Salaam where he works for a hospitality company. Eyewitnesses confirm he was taken away by unknown persons. All attempts by his family to reach him have since failed. This incident follows a disturbing pattern of cross-border repression of activists in East Africa. Just weeks ago, Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were abducted and tortured while in Tanzania. This case is now before the East African Court of Justice.

Nairobi, 21 July 2025: Boniface Mwangi is not a terrorist. Predictably, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to proceed with charges of terrorism and money-laundering allegations initiated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The charges of possession of ammunition without a valid license will be argued by the robust defence team.

Nairobi, Saturday, June 28, 2025: The Police Reforms Working Group unequivocally condemns the arbitrary arrest and incarceration of human rights defenders Mr. John Mulingwa Nzau, also known as Garang, and Mr. Mark Amiani, also known as Generali, and Francis Mwangi also known as Chebukati who are reported to have been taken into custody this morning within Machakos County and are presently being heldat Muthaiga Police Station.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Albert Ojwang, who died last night at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.

Nairobi, 22 May 2025: The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has this morning learnt that Mr. Boniface Mwangi, a renowned human rights defender, was dumped on the Kenya-Tanzania Border. Whereas we are relieved that Mr. Mwangi has been found alive, he has visible signs of torture. We therefore strongly condemn his unlawful arrest, detention, and torture by Tanzanian law enforcement. We express deep concern for the fate of Ugandan Human Rights Defender Agather Atuhaire, who was last seen on Monday in the custody of the Tanzanian authorities. Agather was arrested with Boniface Mwangi and has yet to be released or produced in a court of law.

Convened to demand the release of Dr. Kizza Besigye and all Ugandans unlawfully detained for holding a political conscience, Monday’s protests in Nairobi were extraordinary. Rather than faced with the menu of gas, assault, and arrest, the National Police Service facilitated protesters to peacefully petition National Assembly and the High Commission of Uganda. Are we seeing a change in protest policing?

HIGH COMMISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

THE CLERK, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,