29th June 2026
Enforced Disappearances, Torture and other Human Rights Violations following the 25th June 2026 Protests Marking the 2nd Anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z Protests
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) monitored the demonstrations held on 25th June 2026 in the discharge of its constitutional mandate under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. In the days following the protests, the Commission has continued
to receive, document and verify serious incidents of enforced disappearance, torture, unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrests and violations of media freedom linked to the security operations around the protests. This statement documents some of the grave human rights violations that occurred and continue to emerge in connection with the protests. The Commission’s calls for urgent action and accountability.
Enforced Disappearances
The Commission documented seven incidents of enforced disappearance of peaceful protestors by the police on 25th June 2026. Six protestors: Boniface Mulinge Muteti, Elisha Ochieng Alam, Collins Otieno, Fredrick Ojiro, Christine Alubengo and Michael Ngige, were arrested outside Parliament, bundled in a police truck and driven away. Efforts to trace them were fruitless, as they were not booked in any police station. The police denied holding them despite the arrest having been witnessed on live TV news.
On Saturday 27th June at around 4:00 am., the six were dumped along Langata Road and Ngong Road after being driven by Subaru vehicles from an unknown location. The six, who were heavily traumatized, told the Commission that they had been severely tortured and held under inhuman and degrading conditions in an unknown location where they were taken after being arrested on 25th June.
They narrated how they were abandoned by the police in an isolated area after their initial arrest. Moments after the police truck sped off, the six were ambushed by more than ten heavily armed men in civilian clothes who are believed to be security officers. They were blindfolded and whisked away in three Subaru Station Wagon vehicles.
In another incident in Githurai, an unidentified male was forcibly apprehended by unknown individuals and taken away in a concealed Subaru vehicle. Another protestor, Davis Lichuma, was found yesterday (28th June 2026) evening, four days after being arrested by the police during the protests. Lichuma, who was visibly traumatized and in a lot of pain, is currently in hospital in Nairobi.
The Commission has also received reports of three other persons; Macmillan Kiarie, Michael Oloo and Abdilaziz Duba, who were allegedly picked by security agencies last week in Nairobi and have since been missing. Enforced disappearance constitutes one of the most serious
violations of human rights, infringing upon multiple fundamental rights and freedoms. It is unequivocally prohibited under the Constitution of Kenya, as well as under international human rights and humanitarian law, and may amount to a crime under international law.
Violation of the Right to Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Detention, and Freedom of the Media
The Commission had documented the arrest of three hundred and sixty-one (361) persons across Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Murang’a, Bungoma, Laikipia, Machakos, Meru, Nyeri, Nakuru and Nyamira counties. The large-scale arrest of individuals reportedly participating in peaceful demonstrations raises significant human rights concerns and warrants scrutiny as to whether the arrests were conducted in accordance with constitutional and legal safeguards protecting persons from arbitrary arrest and detention.
The Commission notes with concern that, among those detained, were eighteen (18) Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) arrested in Nairobi, Naivasha and Kajiado. Although some of them have already been charged and released on bail, the Commission strongly condemns the continued criminalization of legitimate human rights work and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all HRDs and individuals who are still detained solely for exercising their constitutional rights peacefully.
The Commission is further concerned by the arrest and detention of two (2) freelance journalists who were taken into custody while lawfully covering the protests and are currently being held at Central Police Station. The arrest of journalists in the course of performing their professional duties undermines media freedom, interferes with the public’s right to access information, and is inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Freedom from Torture and Security of the Person
The Commission notes with grave concern the brutality meted by police on a Person with Disability, James Mungai, who was peacefully participating in the demonstrations in Nakuru town. Further, the Commission received reports that one person, Ben Kamiti, was shot in Naivasha and was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The rights to life, human dignity and security of the person are fundamental human rights protected under the Constitution and international human rights law. Any use of live ammunition against protesters raises serious concerns regarding the necessity, legality and proportionality of force employed by law enforcement officers and warrants prompt, independent and transparent investigation. The State bears an obligation to account for such incidents and to ensure accountability where violations of human rights have occurred.
Violation of the Right to Freedom of Movement
On 24th June 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration issued a public statement urging Kenyans to report to their places of work on 25th June 2026 as they ordinarily would, notwithstanding the planned demonstrations.
The Commission, however, notes with deep concern that many individuals were unable to access their workplaces due to extensive police barricades erected from the early hours of the morning along major roads and entry points to the Nairobi Central Business District, as well as in Nakuru, Nyeri (Karatina), Machakos (Mlolongo), Laikipia and Embu counties.
These measures had the effect of unduly restricting freedom of movement and impeding access to livelihoods, essential services and economic opportunities, thereby adversely affecting the enjoyment of constitutionally guaranteed rights and fundamental freedoms. In addition, numerous businesses were compelled to suspend operations due to concerns over insecurity, looting and property destruction. Reports of looting, vandalism and criminal activity were recorded in areas including Kitengela and Githurai, resulting in economic losses and further disruption to the rights and welfare of affected communities.
Unlawful Use of Force and Failure to Identify Police Officers
The Commission observed with concern that, notwithstanding a court order requiring police officers deployed during public demonstrations to wear official uniforms and remain identifiable, a number of officers operated in contravention of this directive. Reports received by the Commission indicated the presence of numerous hooded and plain-clothed officers operating from unmarked vehicles in Nairobi, Kitengela, Mlolongo, Githurai and Ruiru.
In Githurai, the Commission directly observed hooded and unidentified officers riding concealed motorcycles and discharging firearms indiscriminately towards protesters. Such conduct is unlawful, undermines transparency and accountability in policing, and is fundamentally
inconsistent with the Constitution, the rule of law and established standards of professional policing.
The Commission notes that the country is currently in the process of compensating victims of human rights violations where taxpayers are paying for actions of the police, yet the same police are still alleged to continue committing human rights violations.
In light of the foregoing, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) calls upon:
1. The relevant security agencies to urgently establish and publicly disclose the whereabouts and status of Macmillan Kiarie, Michael Oloo and Abdilaziz Duba, to guarantee their safety and well-being, and to facilitate their immediate release unless they are lawfully held and promptly presented before a court of law.
2. The Inspector-General of the National Police Service to undertake a prompt, impartial, thorough, and effective investigation into the reported shooting incident; to ensure that the injured victim receives immediate and appropriate medical attention; and to hold accountable any officers found culpable in accordance with the law.
3. The Inspector-General of the National Police Service to ensure strict adherence to all court orders governing the policing of public assemblies, including the requirement that officers deployed for such operations be readily identifiable and in official uniform, and to immediately withdraw hooded and plain-clothed officers from protest sites.
4. The Director of Public Prosecutions to review all the charges and arrests effected during the demonstrations and ensure that no person is subjected to prosecution, detention, or any other restriction of liberty in contravention of constitutional and human rights safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention.
5. All security organs and public authorities to uphold and protect the rights to life, human dignity, freedom of expression, media freedom, and peaceful assembly, and to refrain from any acts of intimidation, harassment, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest, or violence against journalists, Human Rights Defenders, and peaceful demonstrators.
The Commission commends all security officers who discharged their duties with restraint, professionalism and respect for human rights during the protests, particularly in Mombasa, where no incidents of alleged police excesses were reported. The Commission further applauds all Kenyans who exercised their constitutional rights to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully, in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution. Such conduct reflects a commendable commitment to democratic values, civic responsibility and the rule of law.
The KNCHR continues to discharge its constitutional duty to protect the rights of all persons in Kenya. The Commission further calls on anyone with information or any human rights concerns relating to today’s protests to share through Email: haki@knchr.org, SMS: 22359, WhatsApp: 0798849871 and Toll-Free Line: 0800 720 627.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an Independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) established under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the KNCHR Act, 2011. The Commission’s mandate is the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya.
Haki Kwa Wote, Kila Wakati!
Claris Ogangah,
Chairperson, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).