Allegations of abductions, unlawful detentions, and killings by Kenyan security forces have surfaced following the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill. Demonstrations, largely led by young Kenyans aged 18 to 35, erupted in June after proposed tax increases on essential goods sparked nationwide outrage. On June 25, protesters stormed parliament grounds in Nairobi, clashing with security forces. Reports indicate that several protesters were killed, while many others were abducted and held in undisclosed locations without legal representation.
The Human Rights Watch investigation revealed that security officers, often in plain clothes, detained protest leaders and social media activists in abandoned buildings, forests, and unregistered facilities, frequently subjecting them to torture, beatings, and deprivation of food and water. Eyewitnesses recounted brutal interrogations aimed at identifying protest organizers and funders. Survivors described being chased in unmarked vehicles and threatened with death, while some of those abducted remain missing. The protests had intensified after the introduction of the Finance Bill, which threatened cuts to essential services and sparked fears of budgetary mismanagement, including allocations for unconstitutional offices.
Families of the missing and human rights groups have called for urgent government accountability. Human Rights Watch urged authorities to halt abductions, allow independent investigations, and prosecute security personnel implicated in the abuses. International bodies, including the UN and African Union, have been asked to support Kenya in creating an impartial tribunal to investigate these violations. Public pressure is mounting for reforms to ensure the right to peaceful protest and curb abusive law enforcement practices.
Observers warn that Kenya’s response to civic dissent will define the country’s human rights trajectory. Without decisive action to investigate killings, enforced disappearances, and torture, tensions could persist, further eroding trust in law enforcement and democratic institutions. Calls for transparent policing and engagement with civil society are seen as critical steps toward restoring accountability and preventing future unrest.