Kenyan NGOs Report Tortured, Missing Protesters Post-Arrest

Kenyan human rights organizations have reported that individuals arrested during recent memorial gatherings for protesters killed in 2024 have been found subjected to torture, with one person still unaccounted for. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Independent Medical Legal Unit (IMLU) stated on May 15, 2024, that six individuals arrested in Nairobi were discovered with signs of severe mistreatment. These arrests occurred in the context of ongoing protests and crackdowns related to economic hardship and government policies.

The organizations detailed that the discovered individuals exhibited physical injuries consistent with torture, including wounds and bruises. The KHRC and IMLU have called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the alleged abuses by the National Police Service. They are demanding accountability for the officers involved and an end to what they describe as a pattern of excessive force and arbitrary detentions against citizens exercising their right to protest and assemble.

According to the NGOs, the arrests took place on May 13, 2024, as activists gathered to commemorate those who died during earlier protests in 2024. The groups highlighted the disappearance of one activist, Brian Mwangi, who remains missing following the May 13 arrests. They expressed grave concern for his safety and urged authorities to disclose his whereabouts and condition. The ongoing situation underscores significant tensions between civil society groups and law enforcement in Kenya.