Kenya’s human rights crisis deepens as abuses surge in 2025 report
A new report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has revealed a sharp rise in rights violations across the country. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the commission recorded 2,848 complaints, with abductions, torture, and extra-judicial killings among the most alarming trends. Chairperson Claris Ogangah presented the findings ahead of Human Rights Day, warning of growing threats to civil liberties and public trust in security institutions.
The report highlighted severe restrictions on civil and political rights. Journalists faced assault, intimidation, and media shutdowns, undermining freedom of expression. Meanwhile, protests saw 661 demonstrators injured and 149 arbitrarily detained, as police used masked officers and unmarked vehicles—often defying court orders. At least 57 cases involved killings during unrest, deaths in custody, or land disputes.
The KNCHR’s findings point to systemic failures in protecting human rights. From media crackdowns to healthcare barriers and violent policing, the report underscores urgent challenges ahead. Authorities now face pressure to address these violations as public confidence in state institutions continues to erode.
