Over the next two years, this project will work to enhance civic engagement, strengthen legal accountability, and promote democratic governance in Kenya, leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) towards this transformative cause in Kenya.

The primary beneficiaries of the initiative span both direct recipients of services and key actors in the governance and accountability ecosystem.

By bridging community empowerment with institutional reform, this initiative marks a vital step toward a more just and accountable Kenya. Through direct survivor support, digital innovation, and strong grassroots networks, IMLU and UNDEF are not only addressing immediate human rights violations but also building a resilient framework for long-term democratic governance.

IMLU is delighted to kickstart this initiative and contribute to a more just and empowered community and the governance ecosystem.

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PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ENFORCING FORCED BUSINESS SHUTDOWNS FOR NON-KENYANS WITHOUT CLEAR STATUTORY BACKING OR TRANSITIONAL GUIDELINES POSES SEVERE RISKS

Nairobi, 10th September 2026

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) expresses grave concern following the onset of enforcement actions and reported harassment of non-nationals linked to the executive directive issued by His Excellency President William Ruto on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The order, which directed law enforcement and local authorities to shut down small-scale retail and hawking operations run by foreign nationals effective Monday, September 7, 2026, has already triggered confusion, arbitrary targeted operations, and xenophobic friction on the ground.

While acknowledging the national imperative to support domestic micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), PRWG-K warns that executing arbitrary administrative directives, compounded by reports of harassment against foreign nationals, including East African Community citizens, lacks statutory foundation, threatens regional unity, and undermines binding human rights standards.

Human rights violations and rising xenophobia

As feared, the commencement of the crackdown on September 7 has led to reports of intimidation, profiling, extortion, and unlawful harassment of foreign nationals, particularly targeting traders from East African partner states like Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• State-sanctioned police misconduct: Unregulated administrative directives routinely lead to arbitrary arrests, property confiscation, and excessive force by law enforcement officers, violating Article 244 of the Constitution of Kenya.
• Incitement of community tension: Sweeping rhetoric against foreign traders breeds vigilantism, hate speech, and xenophobic discrimination against non-nationals, threatening civil peace.

2. Direct breach of EAC protocols and continental commitments

The ongoing crackdown fundamentally conflicts with Kenya’s regional treaty obligations:

• EAC Common Market Protocol: Article 7 and Article 10 guarantee the Free Movement of Persons, Workers, Goods, and Services, as well as the Right of Establishment and Residence for citizens of EAC Partner States. Forced shutdowns severely jeopardize EAC regional integration.
• African Union (AU) Frameworks: Targeting African traders contradicts AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) principles on intra-African economic inclusion.
• Refugee commitments: Blanket administrative orders violate protections under the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, and Kenya’s Refugees Act, 2021, which legally safeguard refugees’ rights to gainful self-employment.

PRWG-K strongly appeals to all Kenyans to exercise restraint, maintain peaceful coexistence, and strictly refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Hostility, physical harassment, destruction of property, or xenophobic violence against foreign traders undermines national values and human dignity. Economic grievances must be resolved through lawful, institutional channels, and citizens should not engage in vigilantism or profile non-nationals.

PRWG-K Demands and immediate calls to action

1. Immediate cessation of harassment and suspension of directive: We take note of recent government acknowledgments and apologies regarding the harassment of foreign nationals. However, verbal warnings are insufficient; the Executive must formally halt non-statutory enforcement and replace forced closures with a structured, research-led policy dialogue involving the Ministry of East African Community, Ministry of Interior, and trade associations.
2. Adherence to Constitutional due process: Security agencies must strictly abide by constitutional standards. Non-procedural confiscation of goods, physical harassment, and extortion by police or local inspectors must cease immediately.
3. Harmonization through Parliamentary channels: Policy shifts regarding small-scale trade must adhere to public participation, research-backed impact assessments, and legislative channels compliant with EAC protocols.
4. Independent human rights oversight: PRWG-K, alongside the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the East African Civil Society Organisations Forum (EACSOF ), to actively document and report any human rights abuses, extortion, or torture resulting from enforcement operations starting September 7.

ENDS

Media contact: Naomi Wambui Email: nmwangi@imlu.org

This statement is signed by the Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace Truth and Justice (KPTJ), Kituo cha Sheria, Article 19EA, Usalama Reforms Forum, Missing Voices Coalition, Physicians for Human Rights, Inuka Ni Sisi, Haki Yetu Trust and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).

Download the statement here: https://www.imlu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PRWGK-Press-Statement-10th-September-2026-Ruto-on-Foreign-Traders.pdf

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The hearing was organised by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in collaboration with their Kenyan members and partners: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Mwatikho Torture Survivors Foundation (MATESOF), Centre Against Torture Kenya Foundation (CAT) and The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT).

The Nairobi hearing provided an important platform for survivors to articulate the changes they wanted to see in the prevention of torture, access to justice, rehabilitation, accountability and protection of their rights. Their collective recommendations contributed to the Nairobi Declaration, which captures key priorities and demands emerging from survivors across the region.

This survivor-led process contributed to the broader global movement that informed the development of the Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Charter therefore represents not only an international framework, but also the culmination of survivor voices and experiences gathered through processes such as the Nairobi Survivors’ Hearing.

For Kenya, the Charter provides an important framework for strengthening implementation of existing protections against torture and ensuring that survivors are meaningfully involved in decisions and processes affecting their rights, recovery and pursuit of justice.

From survivor voices to action

The journey from the Nairobi Survivors’ Hearing and Declaration to the global Survivors’ Charter reinforces a fundamental principle: survivors must be at the centre of efforts to prevent torture, secure accountability and achieve lasting change.

Their experiences are not simply evidence of violations. They are a source of knowledge, leadership and solutions for building systems that protect human rights and prevent torture.

Download the Charter here: https://www.imlu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Charter-of-Rights-of-Victims-and-Survivors-of-Torture-English.pdf

The post Survivor Voices Shaping the Global Fight Against Torture first appeared on IMLU (The Indepedent Medico-Legal Unit).

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT ON THE DIRECTIVE BY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE DOUGLAS KANJA ON CUSTODIAL DEATHS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Nairobi, 14th August 2026

The Independent Medico Legal Unit (IMLU) welcomes the recent directive issued by the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, ordering the immediate interdiction of officers on duty, including the Occurrence Book (O.B.) handler, the cell sentry, and the duty officer, whenever a suspect dies in police custody. This decision marks a necessary and firm step toward curtailing custodial impunity, restoring public trust, and upholding the fundamental constitutional rights to life, human dignity, and protection from cruel or degrading treatment while in state custody.

Deaths in places of detention represent a grave human rights violation and a breach of the state’s duty to protect individuals under its care. In 2025, IMLU documented 20 deaths in places of detention. So far this year, IMLU has documented 20 deaths in police custody, highlighting a concerning pattern that demands urgent systemic intervention.  

In response to the 20 cases documented in 2026, IMLU has actively intervened to provide crucial support and seek accountability:

• Demographics: The victims comprise 19 adults (18 males and 1 female) aged between 25 and 64 years, as well as an infant boy who was accompanying his mother in custody.
• Forensic documentation: Out of the 20 documented cases, IMLU supported 18 with forensic autopsies and detailed medico-legal documentation.
• Autopsy findings: Forensic autopsy reports reveal three clear causes of death among the victims: 8 died from suffocation caused by hanging or neck compression; 5 succumbed to severe physical violence and blunt force trauma, including critical head injuries; and 5 died from underlying medical conditions, such as severe high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, and internal infections, that deteriorated fatally due to neglect, poor detention conditions, and a lack of timely medical care.
• Psychosocial support: Recognizing the deep emotional toll on surviving relatives, IMLU provided family therapy to 13 of the families (comprising 12 male relatives and 1 female relative). During these counseling sessions, therapists addressed key psychological issues manifesting among the bereaved, including severe loss and grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and acute anxiety.

We express our profound gratitude to the brave individuals, families, community members, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders who consistently bring these cases to our attention. Documenting these abuses is the first vital step toward achieving justice. We encourage families and communities to remain vigilant, stand up against human rights violations in places of detention, and continuously report any instances of police misconduct, torture, or custodial deaths to IMLU and relevant oversight mechanisms.

These disturbing figures and forensic findings underscore a systemic crisis that demands urgent and decisive action.

To ensure IG Kanja’s directive translates into genuine justice and institutional reform, we make the following calls to action:

1. Prompt, independent, and exhaustive investigations into all deaths and cases of torture in places of detention. Oversight mechanisms, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), must be provided with unhindered access, full cooperation, and adequate resources to establish the truth and facilitate swift criminal prosecutions.

2. The operationalization of the National Coroners Service Act. Establishing an independent National Coroners Service is critical to ensuring impartial forensic autopsies, cause-of-death inquiries, and inquests free from institutional bias or police interference.

3. The enforcement of both individual and command accountability. While individual officers directly involved in violence or negligence must face criminal prosecution, station commanders and regional supervisors must also be held legally and disciplinarily accountable for failing to prevent, deter, or report misconduct within their jurisdictions.

IMLU remains steadfast in its commitment to driving police reform, advancing accountability, and eradicating torture, extrajudicial execution, and arbitrary detention in Kenya. We will continue to monitor the enforcement of this directive, advocate for structural policy changes, and offer support to victims and survivors of police misconduct to ensure that human rights and the rule of law remain paramount across all law enforcement agencies.

ENDS

The post STATEMENT ON THE DIRECTIVE BY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE DOUGLAS KANJA ON CUSTODIAL DEATHS AND ACCOUNTABILITY first appeared on IMLU (The Indepedent Medico-Legal Unit).

1. The NPS must facilitate peaceful memorial processions and ensure the safety of all participants and
bystanders. Individuals participating in acts of remembrance must not be dispersed, harassed, or
arrested for exercising their constitutional rights.

3. Police commanders must exercise lawful command responsibility. Senior officers will be held
accountable for violations committed by officers under their leadership. All officers deployed must be
clearly identifiable, in line with legal and constitutional requirements.

3. Any use of force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and a measure of last resort. The NPS must
prioritise dialogue and de-escalation. The use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, or water
cannons against peaceful participants is strictly prohibited.

4. Journalists and media workers must be protected and allowed to report freely on the memorial
processions. The State must refrain from any interference with media operations, intemet access, or
live coverage, as these would constitute unlawful restrictions on freedom of expression and access to
information.

5. Medical personnel, first responders, and human rights observers must be granted safe access and
protected at all times. They must not be targeted, hindered, or intimidated in the course of their duties.

6. Any arrests must be lawful, targeted, and based on individual responsibility. Collective punishment of
peaceful participants is unlawful. Arrested persons must be informed of the reasons for arrest, granted
access to legal counsel, and be presented before court within 24 hours.

7. Any deaths or serious injuries must be immediately reported to the Independent Policing Oversight
Authority (IPOA). The NPS must cooperate fully with oversight bodies and preserve all relevant evidence.

Public order and human rights are not mutually exclusive. As Kenyans gather to remember those who lost their lives and demand accountability, we call on all parties to uphold fundamental freedoms and ensure there is no excessive use of force, violence and further loss of life.

Emergency Hotlines
Members of the public are advised to contact any of these organisations should your rights be violated:
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) – 0800 720 627 (Toll Free)
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) -0111 231 010
Defenders Coalition – +254 800 722 292 (Toll Free), +254 800 724 280 (Psychosocial Toll Free)
Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) – 0800 721 401 (Toll Free)
Amnesty International Kenya – 0759 464 346
Civic Freedoms Forum – 0728 303 864
Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) – 0799 434 909
Medical and Legal Response Within the Coast -0800 723 544 (Toll Free)

This joint statement is signed by the Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group. The Police
Reforms Working Group is an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional,
accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU),
Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ), Inuka ni Sisi, Haki Yetu Trust and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).

ENDS

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Mary joins the Board with more than two decades of experience in democracy, governance, civil society strengthening, and citizen participation across Africa. Throughout her career, she has championed democratic governance, strengthened civic institutions, and fostered strategic partnerships that have advanced accountability and inclusive participation across the continent.

She currently serves as Senior Manager for the Africa Program at the National Endowment for Democracy, where she supports initiatives that promote democratic values and strengthen civil society across Africa. Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles with Counterpart International, Democracy International, Chemonics, and the National Democratic Institute, where she has led programmes focused on governance reforms, civic engagement, institutional strengthening, and the protection of civic space.

Mary’s expertise in governance, accountability, strategic partnerships, and democratic development comes at a critical time as IMLU continues to advance its mission of preventing torture, promoting accountability for human rights violations, and ensuring access to justice and rehabilitation for survivors.

As a member of the Board of Directors, she will provide strategic leadership and oversight that will strengthen IMLU’s work in advancing human rights, supporting institutional reforms, and expanding the organization’s impact in Kenya and the region.

We are honoured to have Mary join IMLU and look forward to the invaluable perspective, leadership, and experience she brings to the Board of Directors.

Welcome to the IMLU Board, Mary Kagunyi-Levasseur. We look forward to working together to advance justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity.

The post IMLU Welcomes Mary Kagunyi-Levasseur to Its Board of Directors first appeared on IMLU (The Indepedent Medico-Legal Unit).

Thursday, 25 June 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya — The Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) condemns in the strongest terms the widespread violations of constitutional rights witnessed during the Gen Z memorial protests held across Kenya on 25 June 2026.

On 24 June, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen assured Kenyans that peaceful and unarmed protesters would be protected by the National Police Service and that the following day would proceed as a normal working day. Instead, Kenyans woke up to extensive police barricades and roadblocks on major roads leading into Nairobi and around Parliament Buildings. Similar restrictions were reported in Embu, Nakuru, Machakos, Kajiado, Laikipia, and Kiambu counties.

These blanket restrictions denied millions of Kenyans access to work, business premises, and essential services, violating Article 39 (freedom of movement), Article 36 (freedom of association), and Article 37 (right to peaceful assembly). The erection of barricades also disregarded a High Court order prohibiting blanket obstruction of public roads without timely notice. By undermining both constitutional guarantees and judicial authority, the police acted outside the law and eroded public trust in state institutions.

Targeting of Peaceful Protesters and Families

Despite restrictions, demonstrations were reported in at least fourteen counties, including Nairobi, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kwale, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nyamira, Murang’a, Bungoma, Meru, Kisumu, Machakos, and Laikipia. Particularly disturbing were reports that families of victims of the June 2025 protests, who sought to lay flowers outside Parliament in remembrance of their loved ones, were met with police opposition. Following the wreath-laying, police dispersed mourners and arrested several individuals.
The laying of flowers is a peaceful expression protected under Article 37, which guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition peacefully and unarmed. Criminalizing such acts dishonours the memory of victims and violates the dignity of grieving families.

Use of Force Against Protesters and Journalists

Reports further indicate that police deployed tear gas against peaceful protesters and journalists outside Central Police Station in Nairobi, arresting several journalists. Such actions violate Article 34 (media freedom) and Article 35 (access to information). Journalists play a vital role in documenting public events and enabling accountability. Targeting them undermines transparency and silences truth.

Equally alarming are documented sightings of armed police officers operating masked and unidentified, in contravention of court orders requiring officers to be identifiable. Concealed identities hinder accountability, facilitate abuse, and erode public confidence in policing.

Arbitrary Arrests and Criminalization of Organizers

Arrests in Kitengela and Rongai targeted individuals accused of mobilising participation in the memorial protests. Mobilisation and organisation of peaceful assemblies are protected under Articles 36, 37, and 38. Arresting individuals for encouraging lawful participation is unconstitutional and chilling to democratic participation.

As of this statement, over 361 people have reportedly been arrested, with 161 and 123 in Nairobi and Kajiado Counties, respectively. Two injuries were reported in Kajiado. Many arrests lack lawful justification, raising grave concerns under Article 29 (freedom from arbitrary detention) and Article 49 (rights of arrested persons).

Positive Example of Rights-Respecting Policing

We commend the professionalism of police officers in Mombasa, who facilitated and accompanied peaceful demonstrators without interference. Their conduct demonstrates that rights-respecting policing is both possible and effective. The conduct of police officers in Mombasa should serve as a model nationwide.

Constitutional and International Obligations

The events of 25 June reflect a continued reliance on restrictive and punitive approaches to public assemblies, inconsistent with the Constitution of Kenya. Under Article 24, any limitation of rights must be lawful, reasonable, and justifiable in an open and democratic society. Blanket restrictions, unlawful arrests, and excessive force fall far short of this standard.

Kenya is also bound by regional and international obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and participation in public affairs.

Our Demands:
1. The Executive to uphold constitutional rights, comply with court orders as directed in Katiba Institute v Inspector General of Police & another; Law Society of Kenya (Interested Party) (Constitutional Petition E349 of 2024), delivered on 6 February 2025, which prohibit blanket restrictions, require officer identification, and call for police facilitation of peaceful assemblies.

2. We further call for compliance with the High Court orders in Kisumu directing the National Police Service and the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to establish policing guidelines that respect Article 37 rights.

3. The National Police Service to facilitate peaceful assemblies, cease unlawful arrests, refrain from force against protesters and journalists, investigate misconduct, and ensure accountability. Consequently, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of the 163 Kenyans arrested today, whose only crime was exercising constitutionally guaranteed rights.

4. Parliament to exercise oversight over security agencies and safeguard constitutional freedoms.

5. The Judiciary to continue defending constitutional rights, prevent arbitrary detention, and ensure accountability for violations.

Conclusion

The Police Reforms Working Group remains committed to advancing policing reforms that promote professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights. The rights to peaceful assembly, association, expression, and movement are fundamental pillars of Kenya’s constitutional democracy. They must be protected at all times.
Signed: Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG): Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), ICJ Kenya, IJM-K, HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, SOWED, KHRC, FIDA-Kenya, Haki Yetu, ICTJ Kenya, Transparency International Kenya, Inuka Ni Sisi!, Shield for Justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, CRECO, KPTJ, and PBI Kenya.

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Nairobi, 23^rd April 2026

IMLU MOURNS THE DEATH OF ADVOCATE TOM OUYA IMBUKWA, CALLS FOR URGENT INVESTIGATIONS

The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Counsel Tom Ouya Imbukwa. We join the legal fraternity and the human rights community in mourning a dedicated officer of the court whose commitment to justice was unwavering.

Counsel Imbukwa was a valued member of the IMLU network of advocates. In this capacity, he worked tirelessly on our behalf, handling several critical matters and representing victims of human rights violations with diligence, courage, and high professional integrity. His loss is not only a blow to his family and colleagues but also to the many vulnerable individuals who looked to him as a defender of their fundamental rights.

We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Counsel Imbukwa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.

We call upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS) to launch a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the cause of his passing. It is imperative that the truth is established without delay.

We demand that those found culpable in connection with his death be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Justice for Tom Ouya Imbukwa must be served.

Signed,

Wangechi Kahuria,

Executive Director,

Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU)

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