ICJ Reports 24 Deaths and 271 Injuries Amid Protests in Kenya

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has raised alarms over severe human rights violations in Kenya, documenting 24 deaths, 34 abductions, and 271 injuries amid ongoing nationwide protests. In a compelling letter to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the ICJ demanded thorough scrutiny and investigation into the events, which they claim undermine democratic principles and the rule of law.

The commission's strong condemnation comes in the wake of escalating nationwide protests against the proposed Finance Bill and other significant national issues. The ICJ's letter detailed disturbing accounts of human rights abuses, including corporal punishment and the unlawful use of force and firearms.

Public dissent has surged since May 2024, peaking in the latest protest on June 28, 2024. The ICJ expressed deep concern that the situation could deteriorate further following the recent deployment of Defence Forces across all counties, approved by Parliament on June 26, 2024.

The ICJ emphasized that attacks on civilians by security agencies violate international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Kenyan Constitution. Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution and Article 21 of the ICCPR safeguard the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, affirming every individual's right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities peacefully and unarmed. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials stipulate that lethal force should only be used in exceptional circumstances and when necessary to protect life.

The ICJ urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate these violations swiftly and in detail, calling for accountability and prosecution of those responsible for authorizing and executing the use of fatal force, making arbitrary arrests, and carrying out kidnappings and forced disappearances.

The ICJ's plea for action highlights the urgent need for transparency and justice in the wake of these severe violations, as the nation watches closely for the IPOA's response.