NAIROBI, Kenya – A coalition of civil society organizations under the Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K) has condemned what it termed the unlawful arrest and detention of three prominent human rights defenders allegedly linked to the violent aftermath of the June 25 Gen Z protests.
In a statement issued Saturday, the group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of John Mulingwa Nzau (alias Garang), Mark Amiani (Generali), and Francis Mwangi (Chebukati), who were apprehended earlier in the day in Machakos County and are currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
The police claim the trio are suspects in the destruction of property and violence that erupted during Wednesday’s nationwide demonstrations.
However, the rights group dismissed the allegations as a targeted crackdown on dissent.
“We urge the state not to use the events of June 25 as a pretext for criminalising peaceful protest, silencing dissent, delegitimising human rights work, and shrinking civic space protected by our Constitution,” read the statement.
STATEMENT: TARGETED FOR DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTSWe strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of John Mulingwa, Mark Amiani & Francis Mwangi—brave defenders of justice, peace & dignity. Their only “crime”? Daring to speak truth to power.We demand their immediate release.
The three activists are affiliated with grassroots movements and social justice networks including Bunge la Wananchi, Kongamano La Mageuzi, and various Social Justice Centres.
Their work, according to PRWG-K, includes documenting extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and police misconduct.
Nzau is known for his activism in Nairobi’s informal settlements, while Amiani has led human rights initiatives in Kisumu. Mwangi, based in Ruaraka, has focused on police accountability and community organising.
The Working Group expressed concern over what it called a deteriorating environment for human rights defenders in Kenya, citing increased incidents of surveillance, threats, arbitrary arrests, and criminalisation of civic action.
They issued a three-point demand to the government: Immediate and unconditional release of the three activists, end to harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, and full compliance with constitutional and international obligations protecting civic freedoms.
The statement is backed by over 20 civil society organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), HAKI Africa, FIDA Kenya, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), among others.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions between protesters and law enforcement following Wednesday’s demonstrations, which left at least 19 dead, over 500 injured, and dozens arrested, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
