The U.S. government has expressed significant alarm regarding a sharp decline in Kenya’s human rights record during 2024. In its latest Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State cited widespread reports of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and increasing restrictions on media freedom, attributing these serious abuses to President William Ruto’s administration. These violations reportedly occurred during the youth-led “Gen Z” protests in June and July 2024, which initially targeted proposed tax hikes in the Finance Bill but escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations after the bill’s withdrawal.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 60 individuals died in protest-related incidents, while the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) documented 50 deaths and 199 injuries, both attributing the casualties to excessive police force. The U.S. report further highlighted a pattern of arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions without charge, and enforced disappearances. A particular concern was the use of hooded, masked officers in civilian clothes during protests, despite a High Court ruling explicitly prohibiting such attire. KNCHR reported 82 abductions or disappearances since June 2024, with 29 people still missing by year’s end. Former detainees recounted threats from individuals believed to be police officers, warning against online protest-related content, while human rights NGOs cited the routine use of torture methods, including beatings, stress positions, and electric shocks during interrogations.

A critical issue flagged in the report was the pervasive problem of impunity across security agencies. The U.S. government accused the Kenyan administration of failing to acknowledge or hold officers accountable for abuses committed during the Gen Z demonstrations. Rights groups further alleged that disciplinary transfers and deliberate obstruction of investigations were employed to shield officers’ identities, exacerbating the culture of impunity.

Concerns also extended to transnational repression, with Washington accusing Kenyan authorities of collaborating in cross-border crackdowns on dissidents. In July 2024, a registered Ugandan refugee and 36 members of Uganda’s opposition FDC party were arrested in Kisumu during a governance training course and forcibly returned to Uganda to face terrorism-related charges. Similarly, in November, veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was allegedly abducted in Nairobi by Ugandan agents and driven across the border to Kampala, where he now faces treason charges. While Nairobi initially denied knowledge of the operation, Ugandan authorities claimed it was a coordinated effort between the two governments.

The report also detailed a troubling environment for press freedom, marked by intimidation and violence against journalists, including physical assaults during live broadcasts and incidents of media self-censorship following government threats. The Media Council of Kenya recorded at least 24 cases of harassment and attacks on journalists during the Gen Z protests, with some reporters targeted with tear gas and detained by police.

A notable case highlighted in the U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report was the arrest and prosecution of prominent activist and blogger Francis Gaitho. His inclusion signals mounting international concern over Kenya’s human rights trajectory and could pave the way for targeted sanctions against officials implicated. Human rights observers emphasized the significance of this acknowledgment, not only for its political implications but also for elevating blogging as a legitimate and impactful medium for information dissemination, on par with traditional journalism. Gaitho, known for his outspoken critiques of government policy, was arrested and prosecuted in what rights groups described as an orchestrated attempt to silence dissent, further indicating a shrinking civic space under the current administration.

Beyond political repression, the State Department raised flags on other rights issues, including poor labor law enforcement, hazardous working conditions, persistent child marriage, and ongoing female genital mutilation in certain communities. While acknowledging some steps taken by the Kenyan government to investigate and punish abuses, the report concluded that “impunity was a problem at all levels of government,” signaling serious diplomatic and economic consequences for Kenya if the allegations lead to formal sanctions.