NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s human rights situation deteriorated sharply in 2025, marked by deadly crackdowns on protests, attacks on journalists and activists, and a persistent lack of accountability for security forces, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.
In its World Report 2026, which assesses rights conditions in more than 100 countries, HRW warns that civil and political freedoms in Kenya remain under serious strain following a year of widespread abuses linked largely to anti-government demonstrations.
According to the report, at least 65 people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests in 2025.
HRW documents cases in which plain-clothed security officers allegedly abducted and tortured individuals suspected of organising or supporting demonstrations, while videos circulating online showed officers firing live ammunition at protesters.
The rights group also raised concern over systematic targeting of social media activists and journalists, with several arrested under cybercrime or terrorism laws.
Reporters covering protests were physically assaulted by security agents, further restricting independent media coverage.
HRW said the protests were driven by a combination of unresolved grievances, including anger over tax hikes introduced in 2024, lack of transparency in public spending, the death in custody of blogger Albert Ojwang in June 2025, and renewed demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 protests.
Despite the scale of the violence, the organisation says accountability remains largely absent.
“Kenyan authorities have not investigated or prosecuted security forces in most cases of excessive and lethal force during protests from 2023 to 2025,” HRW said.
It pointed to a joint HRW–Amnesty International report published in November 2024, which found that no police officer or government official had been held responsible for the killing of at least 31 people during the 2023 cost-of-living protests.
Beyond protest-related abuses, HRW criticised the government over weak oversight of public resources, particularly in the health sector.
Despite increased contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the rollout of a housing levy, many Kenyans remain unable to access affordable healthcare.
The report notes that contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA) have risen more than tenfold since its creation, yet patients continue to struggle to obtain services.
Audit reports cited by HRW revealed alleged mismanagement of health funds, with some hospitals linked to influential individuals accused of defrauding the authority.
HRW also flagged Kenya’s slow response to gender-based violence, including femicide.
While the government established a 42-member Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence in January 2024, following record femicide cases, its findings have yet to be made public.
The group briefed the deputy president in August and was expected to submit recommendations to the president, but the report remains unpublished, leaving its policy impact uncertain.
However, HRW acknowledged one positive development, commending Kenya for implementing a new Persons with Disabilities Act in May 2025, describing it as a step toward strengthening disability rights protections.
