Category Press Statements

Nairobi, 27th July 2025. The Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K) strongly condemns the enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, and continued harassment of Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi, as well as the lackluster response from Kenyan authorities, whose agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), met his family’s pleas for assistance with indifference and institutional apathy.

Mwabili, known for his bold stand against the current regime and his activism under the OccupyChurch movement, has consistently spoken out against bad governance, corruption, and political interference in religious institutions. His ordeal speaks volumes about the shrinking space for civic engagement in Kenya and the East African region.

He was abducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 23 July 2025 and later abandoned in a bush in Kinondo, Kwale County, around 3 a.m. on 27 July 2025. Exhausted and traumatized, he walked three kilometers to Diani where he voluntarily reported to Diani Police Station. The police threatened to arrest and detain him, further deepening his trauma instead of offering the protection he expected.

This appalling treatment highlights a continuous pattern of police abuse and impunity. The Constitution of Kenya, under Article 244, mandates the National Police Service to operate professionally and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The National Police Service Act and the Prevention of Torture Act, 2012, further affirm that police officers must uphold integrity, avoid torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and ensure the safety and dignity of every person. These laws are not optional;
they are binding obligations that law enforcement must uphold without exception.

We therefore issue the following demands:

• . Immediate public acknowledgment and apology from the National Police Service for the harassment of Mwabili Mwagodi at Diani Police Station.
• A transparent and independent investigation into the officers’ conduct, with disciplinary action where necessary.
• A formal statement from the Government of Kenya outlining measures to protect human rights defenders from unlawful detention, cross-border targeting, and enforced disappearances.
• A joint commitment by the Governments of Kenya and Tanzania to end incommunicado detentions and suppression of peaceful civic dissent.

Mwabili’s case is not unique. It reflects a growing disregard for constitutional rights and a dangerous tolerance for transnational repression. It also underscores the failure of law enforcement to serve and protect those most vulnerable to state abuse. PRWG-K stands in firm solidarity with Mwabili, his family, and all defenders of human rights and civic space. The role of the police is to protect and serve, not to punish. We call on authorities in both Kenya and Tanzania to act now, before impunity becomes the norm and justice becomes the exception.

This statement is signed by the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, 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, Katiba Institute, 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), Peace Brigades International Kenya. (PBI Kenya).

Nairobi, Wednesday, June 18, 2025: The Police Reforms Working Group strongly condemns the deliberate infiltration of peaceful protests by hundreds of violent agitators who attacked protesters and caused mayhem in the County of Nairobi. The violence has resulted in the shooting of at least one unarmed bystander. Twenty-five people had also been hospitalised, five with gunshot wounds by 9 pm last night. Apart from serious injuries to individuals, there was uncalculated damage to private businesses and public property across the capital.

The Police Reforms Working Group reiterates its public safety advisory, issued on June 17, to the National Police Service regarding the lawful policing of protests ahead of demonstrations that took place across four counties: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale. The seven principles clearly called for de-escalation and proportionality in the use of force, protection of protesters, bystanders, emergency health workers, journalists, and police, as well as cooperation with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Under the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law, the use of force is a serious responsibility entrusted solely to the National Police Service. This authority must be strictly exercised to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of all individuals. It can only be used in accordance with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability. This responsibility to protect was completely abdicated yesterday.

Our monitoring and preliminary analysis confirms widespread fears that the National Police Service failed to stop hundreds of masked agitators who were mobilized, transported and deployed to patrol several streets and attack Government critics with tyre whips, large wooden batons and knives.

More worryingly, protest observation in the streets and mass media analysis reveal that the police at times intentionally accompanied, supported and directed their operations for more than six hours of mayhem yesterday. We monitored police officers in consultations with goons at Moi Avenue, Railways Club and Kenyatta Avenue. Several of the groups were filmed publicly expressing their appreciation for the Nairobi Governor for the support they had received, and elsewhere, elected Members of the County Assembly praised them for their unlawful actions.

Despite the Police Spokesperson’s statement “taking note of the goons” and “investigations have commenced”, post-violence visits to Central Police Station and Kamukunji Police Station revealed that no protest-related arrests had been carried out by 8 pm last night.

The National Police Service Inspector General must clearly address police conduct as witnessed yesterday in the streets of Nairobi while clearly addressing police conduct including clear consensus between police and violent agitators, the names, badge numbers and ranks of officers who are captured using excessive force against protesters, including lethal force, the commanding officers and the nature of instructions issued to the Police yesterday and the status of investigations as alleged in their statement authorisation or with the acquiescence of police officers and commanders.

The Inspector General of Police must swiftly investigate and arrest officers and violent agitators who blatantly violated the Constitution by using excessive force against protesters and the public. We call on the office of the IG to submit the deployment schedule, weapons, ballistics and other forensic evidence used in yesterday’s operation to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. The officer involved in the shooting of businessman Boniface Kariuki must be charged and prosecuted in a court of law and subjected to a fair trial.

The Governor of Nairobi, Members of the County Assembly and other politicians must refrain from interfering in operational policing decisions and from otherwise exerting political pressure on the policing of demonstrations through speech or other actions. We also call on them to publicly disassociate themselves from the violence and call for the arrest and prosecution of those who wreaked violence and mayhem in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

We call upon the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to act immediately to address police misconduct during public protests and assemblies.  Urgent action is required to restore accountability. Kenya faces a deepening crisis of public and investor confidence in law enforcement and the rule of law. Continued violence threatens Kenya’s lives, democratic stability and economic resilience.

Lastly, we commend the medical personnel, legal advocates, journalists, protest observers, and members of the public who upheld non-violence, cared for the injured, documented abuses, and called for an end to the anarchic chaos witnessed yesterday.

God bless Kenya.

Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

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, 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) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).

Nairobi, 11 June 2025, PRWG-K1 Has reviewed the postmortem findings into the death of Albert Ojwang (31) and confirms, as many Kenyans already know, he did not die from self-inflicted injuries as earlier claimed by the National Police Service. We call for the immediate stepping aside of Mr. Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Inspector General and head of the Kenya Police, who has been revealed to be the complainant in the matter that led to the arrest of Albert Ojwang. Mr. Lagat must, in the public interest, allow for an impartial and speedy investigation. Investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang cannot be impartial or be seen to be impartial while the complainant is at the helm of the investigation.

We call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), to immediately summon and take statements from Eliud Lagat, OCS Central Mr Samson Talam, and all other officers who were involved in the arrest, booking and detention of Albert.

PRWG-K further demands that the National Police Service reveal the circumstances leading to the arrest and transportation of Albert over 350 kilometres to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, despite statutory requirements providing that all offences be tried in the nearest court unless transferred to a different jurisdiction by a court order. 2 The National Police Service must account for Albert’s whereabouts for the entire period preceding his booking into the Central Police Station.

We note that the Inspector General of Police failed to name the officers who were in charge of Central Police Station when Albert Ojwang was killed, despite stating that they have since been interdicted. We demand that the National Police Service make known the chain of custody for the deceased from the time he was arrested to the time when he was booked in at Central Police station.

We reiterate that Police stations are places of protected custody and Police officers are required to keep suspects safe, free from torture, inhumane treatment, as these are protections envisaged in Article 244 of the Constitution of Kenya. The National Police Service must promptly investigate Albert’s death to restore public trust.

The National Police Service Commission must confront the ugly reality of widespread arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and deaths at the hands of police officers. We call upon IPOA and KNCHR to lead the investigations and ensure that they extend beyond interdictions and suspensions, and that those found culpable are arrested and tried before a court of law. Without independent and external investigation, these practices continue to pose a threat to Kenyan lives, the rule of law and national security and the public interest.

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.

NAIROBI Monday, June 9, 2025: Now that the Inspector General, Douglas Kanja, has reportedly revealed DIG Eliud Langat was the complainant, PRWG demands that DIG Lagat be investigated as to his role in the arrest that led to Albert Ojwang’s death. False publication is a misdemeanour “crime”. Why would the Directorate of Criminal Investigations use so much public taxes to arrest Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay and drive 350 km past several police stations and courts to Central Police Station, Nairobi? Why would a suspect commit suicide after peacefully complying with an arrest and actively calling for family and friends to raise bail for him?

Yesterday’s attempts by Albert Ojwang’s father, the family lawyer, the LSK President and IPOA to access the crime scene were prevented by the deliberate disappearance of senior officers at Central Police Station.

With the announcement of the interdiction/suspension of the Officer Commanding Station, Duty Officer, Cell Sentry and all officers in duty during this fateful night, IPOA and KNCHR must exercise their mandates to immediately access and secure the crime scene and all evidence and interview all officers, detainees and witnesses to the homicide. We call for the arrest and interview of all officers who came into contact with the late Albert Ojwang.

Members of the Police Reforms Working Group shall provide support for the victim’s family, an independent pathologist for the post-mortem into the cause of death and any other actions we can take to ensure justice and compensation for his widow, child and wider family.

Once again, Kenyans must confront the ugly reality that senior police officers are at the centre of widespread and systematic arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and police deaths at the hands of police officers. This death confirms it.

With our law enforcement agencies severely compromised, it is also time for the Kenyan authorities to admit a UN fact-finding team to independently investigate these, as well as other deaths and abductions. Without independent and external investigation, these practices shall remain a threat to Kenyan lives, the rule of law, national security and the public interest.

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang

Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

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, 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) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).

Nairobi,

22 May 2025:

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has this morning learnt that Mr. Boniface Mwangi, a renowned human rights defender, was dumped on the Kenya- Tanzania Border. Whereas we are relieved that Mr. Mwangi has been found alive, he has visible signs of torture. We therefore strongly condemn his unlawful arrest, detention, and torture by Tanzanian law enforcement. We express deep concern for the fate of Ugandan Human Rights Defender Agather Atuhaire who was last seen on Monday in the custody of the Tanzanian authorities. Agather was arrested with Boniface Mwangi and has yet to be released or produced in a court of law.

The two East Africans were arrested while on a mission with several other East Africans to observe the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. An application of habeas corpus had been earlier filed both Mr. Mwangi and Ms. Atuhaire.

PRWG-K notes with grave concern the rising repression of opposition leaders, activists, and journalists in Tanzania and Uganda, two significant member states of the East African Community (EAC). Tanzanian’s actions and statements by the Head of State this week violate Article 13 (6) of the Tanzanian Constitution which provides for fair hearing, equality before the law, human dignity and freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. Tanzania’s actions further violate the EAC Treaty, particularly Articles 6 and 7 (2), which obligate states to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

The cruel and degrading treatment inflicted upon Mwangi contravenes international law, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT); The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Furthermore, international customary law obligates every state to act against those who torture.

The Government of Tanzania cannot hide behind national sovereignty to justify committing serious crimes and human rights violations against its own citizens and other East Africans. We remain very concerned with the continued enforced disappearance of Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, detained alongside Mwangi.

Consequently, we demand the following actions to be taken:

1. Unconditional Release – Tanzanian authorities must free East African journalist Agather Atuhaire, and all Tanzanian activists who are currently detained in violation of international and regional human rights standards.
2. Independent Investigation – The Tanzanian government must allow an impartial probe into the torture allegations, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.
3. Regional and International Accountability – The East African Community and Tanzania’s international partners must deploy fact-finding missions into these and other human rights violations that are being accelerated ahead of the November elections.
4. Diplomatic Intervention – The Community of Nations, including regional and international human rights mechanisms such as the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner and the Committe Against Torture alongside the Kenyan and Ugandan governments must urgently and publicly express concerns demand the protection of their citizens’ rights in Tanzania.
5. Media & Civil Society Safeguards – EAC states must end the criminalisation of dissent and uphold freedom of expression.

The PRWG-K stands in solidarity with Boniface Mwangi, Agather Atuhaire, Tundu Lissu, and all victims of state-sponsored repression in East Africa. We call upon the African Union, UN Human Rights Council, and international partners to pressure Tanzania and allied regimes to cease these violations. Silence is complicity, and the EAC must not become a syndicate of autocracy and an international crime scene.

Signed,

Notes:

The Police Reforms Working Group is an alliance of national and grassroots organisations committed to professional and rule of law policing. They include Amnesty International Kenya, Defenders Coalition, Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission, The Kenyan Section of International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program, Independent Medical Legal Unit, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, International Centre for Transitional Justice, Social Justice Centres Working Group, Usalama Reforms Forum, Transparency International – Kenya, Shield For Justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Peace Brigades International, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium.