Legal Actions Accumulate Against the State for Alleged Crimes
News Article: Ongoing Protests and Government Accountability in Kenya
In Kenya, the fourth revision of the funding model for universities is underway, but the government's accountability for brutality against Gen Z protesters remains a pressing issue. Since June 2024, protests led by Gen Z have been a regular occurrence, calling out police brutality and government corruption.
The protests, which initially started over opposition to the Finance Bill, have continued amid ongoing grievances including police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and political corruption. The large-scale demonstrations on June 25, 2024, saw hundreds of thousands of mainly Gen Z protesters across many counties protesting tax hikes and government corruption. These protests were met with heavy police repression, resulting in more than 50 deaths and multiple injuries.
A key triggering event for renewed protests in June 2025 was the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, who died in police custody after being arrested for criticizing police leadership on social media. His death fueled further demonstrations demanding accountability for police violence and systemic failures in the justice system.
Government responses have included directives from officials such as Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen to "shoot to kill" protesters, further allegations of extrajudicial killings, abductions of government critics, and suppression of press freedoms. These actions have raised serious human rights concerns, but official government accountability for these abuses remains limited. Activists report few legal or judicial redress cases being effectively pursued against security forces despite widespread calls for justice.
Meanwhile, Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto is rallying support for Harambee Stars ahead of their CHAN opener. Parliament has also passed strict rules to regulate and constrict gambling, and a case has been filed in court asking for the source of empowerment billions to be revealed. "Oginde's Prayer," a story about a prayer that confronted power, is also making headlines.
As the situation in Kenya continues to unfold, the international community, including the UK, is taking action against Russia's disinformation efforts in Africa. Africa is also seeking control over the mediation of the strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The future of Kenya's political landscape and the fate of the Gen Z protesters remain uncertain, but the ongoing protests serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of the youth in demanding change.
References:
[1] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Kenya: Police Killings, Abuses Against Protesters. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/06/10/kenya-police-killings-abuses-against-protesters
[2] Amnesty International. (2024). Kenya: More than 50 killed in police crackdown on protests. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/06/kenya-more-than-50-killed-in-police-crackdown-on-protests/
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025). Kenya: Protesters demand accountability over blogger's death. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/06/kenya-protesters-demand-accountability-bloggers-death-250620250757441.html
Sports enthusiasts may find Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto rallying support for Harambee Stars ahead of their CHAN opener an interesting general news item. However, the ongoing protests led by Gen Z against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and political corruption remain a contentious issue in the context of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, as reported by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The activists' efforts for accountability continue to garner attention, as demonstrated by the recent demonstrations following the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a blogger and teacher who died in police custody.
