NAIROBI, Kenya— The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has condemned the deportation of its Senior Legal Advisor, Martin Mavenjina, accused the government of cracking down on civil society actors.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, KHRC said Mavenjina was deported to Uganda shortly after landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
The commission asserted that the Ugandan national had returned from an official engagement in South Africa and holds a valid work permit.
“This is not an isolated incident. Since June 25, the William Ruto regime has been deliberately targeting human rights defenders,” the statement read in part.
“Mavenjina’s deportation is part of their strategy.”
KHRC said it is working to secure Mavenjina’s safe return and demanded that the state ceases what it called arbitrary actions against activists.
The organization termed the deportation as unlawful and politically motivated, warning that it signals a broader attempt to muzzle dissent.
The deportation comes amid growing tensions between the government and civic organizations, following recent protests and widespread youth mobilization wbich civil rights groups are accused of being behind.
