Nairobi – Human rights organizations across Kenya have issued a scathing rebuke of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of authoritarianism and undermining the country’s democratic values through a crackdown on dissent and peaceful protest.
In a joint statement released Sunday, 37 civil society organizations and 24 individual human rights defenders condemned what they describe as a rising pattern of arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and targeted harassment of young Kenyans who criticize the government.
“As patriotic Kenyans, Pan-Africanists, and human rights defenders, we are deeply alarmed by the growing pattern of arbitrary arrests and trumped-up charges targeting innocent youth and anyone who dares to speak out,” the statement reads. “What began as targeted persecution of young protesters demanding accountability has metastasized into a full-scale assault on Kenya’s democracy.”
The groups emphasized that Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest, yet peaceful demonstrators are increasingly being falsely accused of terrorism, arson, and money laundering—charges designed to instill fear and silence dissent.
Crackdown Escalates After Boniface Mwangi’s Arrest
The condemnation follows the recent arrest of prominent activist Boniface Mwangi, who on Friday, July 18, filed a landmark case before the East African Court of Justice. The case seeks accountability from the governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for his enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment, including allegations of physical and sexual abuse two months ago.
Just a day after filing the case, Mwangi’s home was raided by Kenyan security forces and he was arrested in what human rights advocates have called a politically motivated act of intimidation. Activists claim the arrest was conducted without a court warrant, and efforts to verify the existence of a legal order through the judiciary’s tracking system found no record of any warrant being issued.
“No magistrate was involved in issuing the search or arrest order. This was a blatant abuse of power,” said one human rights lawyer involved in the case.
A Shrinking Civic Space
The developments have heightened concern over shrinking civic space in Kenya, a country previously seen as a regional beacon of democracy. Rights groups are calling for urgent reforms and international attention, warning that Kenya risks sliding deeper into authoritarian rule unless immediate action is taken.
