MALINDI, Kenya — Five human rights defenders and two journalists were arrested on Tuesday in Marereni, Kilifi County, after confronting police officers over the use of balaclavas at a roadblock.
The activists — Khelef Khalifa, Mathias Shipeta, Salma Hemed, Francis Auma, and Atrash Bwana — were arrested alongside Roba of Citizen TV and Brian of The Star newspaper. They were taken to Malindi Police Station.
According to witnesses, the group presented officers with a court order prohibiting police from covering their faces while on public duty, arguing that it undermines transparency and accountability.
“The court has already ruled that officers in public spaces should be in uniform and not conceal their identities. We were simply reminding them of the law,” one activist said before being detained.
Human rights groups have condemned the arrests, calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the seven. They accused the police of intimidation and contempt of court.
As of Tuesday evening, the detainees were still being held at Malindi Police Station as lawyers sought their release.
