NAIROBI, Kenya – Amnesty International Kenya and Odipo Dev have launched the Kenya Freedom Index, a new report documenting widespread violations of the constitutional right to peaceful assembly across the country.
The index, which analyses 1,002 protests between 2020 and 2025, finds a sharp rise in demonstrations driven largely by economic hardship, political grievances and environmental concerns.
The report, released on Friday, May 22, shows that protests have more than doubled in the past two years and are increasingly met with unlawful force.
The data shows that community residents accounted for the largest share of organisers at 360 protests, followed by workers (235), young people (171), students (98) and civil society organisations (63).
“Contrary to popular perception that protests are organised by NGO activists, community residents have organised the most protests (360), followed by workers (235), young people (171), students (98) and civil society organisations (63) among others,” Odipo DEV Executive Director Felix Kosgei said.
The report further notes that economic grievances dominate protest triggers, accounting for 452 cases.
“At 452 protests, economic freedom concerns top every other category. This is more than political discontent, social issues and more than every other grievance combined,” Kosgei said.
Notably, Nairobi accounted for 29% of all protests, followed by Nakuru at 5% and Mombasa at 4%.
The index also raises concerns over police conduct, indicating that more than 30% of protests (389) were dispersed using tear gas.
It documents 138 deaths, 1,227 injuries and 2,128 arrests over the five-year period, highlighting patterns of arbitrary arrests, pre-trial detention and excessive charges.
Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton called for urgent reforms in the policing of demonstrations.
“We must see an end to the use of excessive and unlawful force, including the use of live ammunition against protestors. There must be accountability for all unlawful killings and injuries committed during protests,” he said.
At the same time, VOCAL Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said the findings come at a critical moment, citing recent deadly protests linked to fuel price hikes. He said the index should guide reforms ahead of the 2027 elections to reduce violence and strengthen accountability.
