NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called for immediate and decisive reforms in Kenya’s policing system as he launched the ‘Brutal Policing: 2024 Annual Report,’ compiled by the ‘Missing Voices’ coalition.
Maraga emphasized the need for systemic changes to combat the alarming rise in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances documented in the report.
Speaking at the launch event held at the ICJ House in Nairobi, Maraga acknowledged the collective efforts of human rights organizations working under the ‘Missing Voices’ coalition, which include Amnesty International Kenya, HAKI Africa, and Human Rights Watch.
He paid tribute to those whose lives have been tragically lost to police violence, urging the public to honor their memory with continued activism for justice and accountability.
Maraga, visibly moved by the toll of police brutality, stood in solidarity with victims and their families.
“Before we begin, I would like to request that we all stand up and maintain a moment of silence in honor of those whose lives have been tragically cut short due to police brutality and enforced disappearances,” he said.
The report outlines disturbing trends in police violence, highlighting the rising number of extrajudicial killings and disappearances in 2024, with a particular focus on incidents that occurred during the June 25 Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill.
The report revealed that youth, particularly those participating in demonstrations, are disproportionately affected by police brutality.
In his keynote address, Maraga noted the urgent need for systemic reforms in Kenya’s police service, linking the findings of the report with the broader issue of poor training and accountability within the National Police Service (NPS).
He pointed to the Taskforce on Police Reforms, which he chaired in 2022-2023, stating that the assessment of the NPS identified critical issues such as inadequate training in human rights and a culture of impunity within the police force.
“There is a direct connection between the core issues facing the NPS and the violations documented in this report,” Maraga said, calling for comprehensive police reforms, including better human rights training and stronger accountability mechanisms.
The launch of the report coincided with Kenya’s review under the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
Maraga cited several key recommendations from the UPR report, including calls for the Kenyan government to establish a legal framework to prevent enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and to conduct impartial investigations into the use of excessive force against protesters.
Despite the grim findings of the report, Maraga expressed hope for the future, particularly in the resilience shown by the victims and their families, as well as the courage of human rights defenders.
“We are inspired by the courage and resilience of the victims of the excesses of the State, their families, and the human rights defenders who continue to fight for justice,” he said. “Together, we can create a society that is just and equitable, where every Kenyan is safe, protected, and respected.”
Maraga also reiterated the coalition’s call for urgent action from the government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for extrajudicial killings and disappearances, implement comprehensive police reforms, and strengthen the independence of human rights oversight bodies.
“We cannot stand idly while these human rights violations continue,” he concluded, calling for tangible reforms that would guarantee the protection of freedoms and the upholding of justice for all Kenyans.
