Use of Excessive Force by Security During Political Protests

A 2016 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report paints a troubling picture of Kenya’s human rights environment, highlighting a series of repressive trends under the Jubilee government. The report raises alarm over recent security law reforms that granted excessive powers to police, including stop‑and‑search rights and long pretrial detention for terrorism suspects. HRW points out that these changes risk undermining fundamental civil liberties—especially the right to free expression and peaceful assembly. Human Rights Watch
At the heart of the report is a stark lack of accountability for grave security‑force abuses. HRW documents dozens of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, particularly in counterterrorism operations in northeastern Kenya. Human Rights Watch+2Al Jazeera+2 Men suspected of links to Al‑Shabab were reportedly detained by masked security operatives who did not identify themselves, sometimes transported to military facilities, and in some cases never seen again. Human Rights Watch Despite these serious allegations, watchdog bodies like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have limited financial resources and face political resistance in pursuing justice. Human Rights Watch
Civil society defenders and journalists are also under threat. HRW flags repeated harassment and bureaucratic pressure on NGOs and rights groups, including calls by officials to link them with terrorism. Human Rights Watch Some organizations had their bank accounts frozen, while others were targeted for deregistration, effectively strangling their operations. Human Rights Watch Meanwhile, LGBT Kenyans continue to live under criminalized same-sex laws. The report notes disturbing practices, such as forced anal examinations and other degrading treatment by police. Human Rights Watch
In response, HRW calls for urgent reforms: revoking or amending overly broad security laws, investing real resources in oversight institutions like IPOA and KNCHR, and ensuring that those responsible for abuses are held accountable. Without these steps, the report warns, Kenya risks institutionalizing a culture of impunity—eroding public trust and stifling civic space just as the country steps into a more politically competitive future.