Activism and Coalitions in the Fight Against Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings in Kenya Since June 2024
Kenya is witnessing a powerful response to the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, which escalated in June 2024. While the loss of lives and the suffering of affected families are undeniable, this crisis has also sparked a wave of activism and coalitions determined to bring justice, accountability, and human rights to the forefront of national discourse.
A growing number of grassroots movements, human rights organizations, and community leaders have come together to address this systemic issue. At the heart of this response is Missing Voices, a coalition of Kenyan human rights organizations working tirelessly to document disappearances and killings, amplifying the voices of the victims' families, and demanding state accountability. Missing Voices, alongside organizations like the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Amnesty International Kenya, has mobilized communities, raised awareness through campaigns, and created platforms for the public to report cases of abductions and unlawful killings.
The crisis has brought together a diverse set of groups, all committed to ending impunity and protecting human rights. Among them, civil society organizations, legal aid groups, student bodies, and faith-based organizations have united under the common goal of reclaiming justice. They have launched initiatives such as public protests, media campaigns, and social media movements, raising awareness across the country. Notably, the "End State Abductions" movement has grown into a nationwide call for transparency in police operations, with the youth taking center stage.
A key example of these efforts is the Justice for Peter Wanjiru campaign, sparked by the tragic murder of the young university student whose vocal opposition to corruption cost him his life. His case, along with others, galvanized student groups and community activists who have staged peaceful protests, sit-ins, and digital campaigns to demand answers from the government. The use of social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Instagram, has amplified the reach of these movements, helping them reach global audiences.
As activists demand transparency, they face considerable challenges from the state. The government’s reluctance to hold security forces accountable has fostered a climate of fear. However, coalitions have persisted, utilizing the courts and Kenya’s legal framework to file lawsuits, seek injunctions, and provide legal counsel to families of victims. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the judiciary have seen increasing pressure from these movements to act and address police misconduct, leading to some critical, albeit small, legal victories.
At the grassroots level, coalitions of women’s groups, trauma support networks, and local leaders have mobilized to support families impacted by disappearances and extrajudicial killings. These groups organize vigils, provide trauma counseling, and assist families in navigating legal processes. Through collective grief and shared resolve, communities are finding strength in solidarity and pushing back against state violence.
Despite the uphill battle, activists remain resolute in calling for reforms. Coalitions have proposed the creation of an independent commission of inquiry into the disappearances and killings, a move they hope will lead to systemic changes in policing. Their advocacy is forcing a national conversation on justice, with international human rights bodies taking note and amplifying their demands.
In the face of grave injustice, the power of activism in Kenya has become a beacon of hope. The growing movement of coalitions across civil society, driven by ordinary citizens and human rights defenders, is an indication of the strength of collective action in the pursuit of justice, accountability, and human dignity.
By Caroline Wangui