A damning US State Department report has placed Kenya under intense international scrutiny, documenting a significant deterioration in human rights throughout 2024. The report, covering the year’s events, details a litany of abuses including unlawful killings by police, media censorship, torture, and even involvement in the alleged transnational abduction of a foreign opposition figure.
Police Brutality During Protests Takes Center Stage
The report casts a harsh spotlight on Kenyan law enforcement, particularly their conduct during the widespread “Gen Z” protests against the controversial 2024 Finance Bill in June and July. Authorities stand accused of committing “numerous abuses,” including:
- Unlawful Killings: “There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings during the year, particularly during youth-led, nationwide ‘Gen Z’ demonstrations,” the report states, linking deaths to “excessive and unlawful police action” involving live ammunition.
- Physical Violence & Torture: Police were cited for physical violence and the use of “torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” including tear gas, against protesters, resulting in injuries.
- Arbitrary Arrests: Widespread arbitrary arrests and detentions were documented during the protest period.
Despite acknowledging government steps “to identify and punish officials,” the report stresses that “impunity was a problem at all levels of government.”
Government Strangles Media Freedom
The US report identifies a severe crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom as a major concern:
- Censorship During Protests: Government officials “allegedly attempted to restrict media coverage of the demonstrations, both publicly and privately,” the report notes. This included President William Ruto publicly calling on media to “report responsibly,” accusing several houses of “‘glorified anarchy by providing selective live coverage of the demonstrations.'”
- Violence Against Journalists: The report highlights “serious restrictions” including “violence or threats of violence against journalists.”
Kenya Implicated in Transnational Repression
In a particularly alarming finding, the report details Kenya’s alleged role in “transnational repression”:
- Abduction of Ugandan Opposition Leader: It specifically references the alleged abduction of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye by Ugandan agents while he was visiting Nairobi. “Kenyan government officials claimed they were unaware of the abduction, but Ugandan authorities maintained it was a coordinated action,” the report notes, implicating Kenyan territory and potentially state complicity in a foreign operation.
Wider Pattern of Abuse and Child Labour
Beyond the protest violence and media suppression, the report cites other critical issues:
- Disappearances and Arbitrary Detention: These were listed alongside killings and torture as significant problems.
- Worst Forms of Child Labour: The report highlighted the “significant presence” of exploitative child labour within Kenya.
A Damning Verdict
The report delivers a stark overall assessment: “Kenya experienced a deterioration in the human rights situation during the year.” It places the Ruto administration firmly “on the spot,” demanding accountability for widespread abuses committed by state agents, the protection of fundamental freedoms, and decisive action to end impunity and practices like transnational repression on its soil. The findings are likely to strain US-Kenya relations and impact Kenya’s international standing on governance and human rights.
