The global civil society alliance CIVICUS urgently called on Kenyan President William Ruto and his administration on Wednesday to promptly and unconditionally release 20 protesters who have been reported missing following recent civil unrest.

CIVICUS called upon Ruto to fulfill his commitments regarding human rights by ensuring the release of unjustly detained individuals, addressing any harm caused to activists, and ending the abduction of dissenters while holding accountable those responsible for violence and intimidation. The statement further indicated that CIVICUS Monitor’s findings highlight a systematic pattern of repression that extends beyond immediate physical violence to include enforced disappearances and targeted abductions of individuals associated with the protests.

This appeal comes amidst rising concerns over the increasing incidents of abductions and unlawful detentions targeting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and social activists in Kenya, which have sparked significant alarm among international observers.

CIVICUS downgraded Kenya’s civic space rating to “repressed,” reflecting a troubling trend of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful demonstrators. This downgrade follows a series of nationwide protests in June 2024 in response to a controversial Finance Bill that aimed to raise taxes amid soaring living costs. The Kenya Court of Appeal at Nairobi delivered a judgment rendering the controversial Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional in August 2024. The Supreme Court stayed the Court of Appeal decision citing public interest.

Despite calls for the National Police Service to respect and uphold human rights ahead of demonstrations, the government’s violent crackdown resulted in the deaths of at least 60 individuals and the arrest of over 1,200 protestors. Reports indicate that more than 130 individuals remain unaccounted for, with many believed to have been forcibly disappeared by security forces targeting those perceived as dissenters or critics of the government.

Several international organizations have echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform within the Kenyan government. Advocacy groups have pointed out that the use of excessive force against peaceful protestors, coupled with ongoing abductions, represents a blatant disregard for human rights. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has documented numerous cases of enforced disappearances, highlighting the urgent need for intervention from both local and international bodies.

The backdrop to this crisis can be traced back to a growing discontent among Kenyans regarding government corruption and economic mismanagement. The protests in mid-2024 were fueled by widespread frustration over increasing taxes and living costs, which many citizens deemed unacceptable given the prevailing economic conditions. As public dissent grew, the government’s increasing repressive measures culminated in violent confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators.