In Kenya, extrajudicial killings have become a pervasive issue, particularly in low-income areas like Dandora, where young people are often disproportionately affected. Artists such as Dash Jonte and Uncle G have turned to music as a platform to confront this injustice, using their personal experiences of loss and trauma to inspire activism. Having lost friends to police violence, these musicians formed the group 2Punch, creating awareness-driven songs that address youth vulnerability and advocate for accountability. Their work highlights the human cost of arbitrary policing and the urgent need for systemic reform, while placing themselves at significant personal risk due to backlash from authorities and community perceptions.
Music has historically been a powerful tool for social change, and in Kenya, it continues to serve as a medium for mobilizing awareness and dialogue. Through organizations like Dandora Hip Hop City (DHC) and the Wajibu Wetu program, young artists are mentored to use music as a biocultural tool for societal impact. These platforms enable artists to record, distribute, and perform songs that provoke discussion about extrajudicial killings, while community dialogue forums provide spaces for engagement between youth, victims, and security forces. Songs like Kenya is Bleeding and Stop Extra-Judicial Killings illustrate how music can encapsulate complex social issues, fostering collective consciousness and urging citizens to demand justice.
Kenyan musical activists demonstrate that art can be both expressive and transformative. By blending personal storytelling with socio-political critique, they create works that resonate with local communities and beyond. Initiatives like Juliani’s Machozi ya Jana, in collaboration with the International Justice Mission, show how music can raise awareness, generate dialogue, and call for accountability in law enforcement. Despite the threats posed by those implicated in these killings, Dash Jonte, Uncle G, and others remain committed to speaking truth to power, proving that music is not just entertainment—it is a vital instrument for advocacy, justice, and societal change.