Activists Targeted by Government Forces in Kenya

Recent weeks have seen a disturbing trend in Kenya, where activists speaking out against a controversial tax bill have become targets of government security forces. The activists recount harrowing experiences of abduction and arbitrary detention.

• One activist was seized while organizing a blood drive for injured protesters.
• Another was taken from his home in the dead of night while his family slept.
• A third activist described being blindfolded, beaten, and thrown into the trunk of a car.

The crackdown follows a series of protests against the tax bill that resulted in violent clashes with police, claiming the lives of at least 39 individuals. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has documented these casualties.

Reports indicate that over 32 individuals, including activists, medical personnel, and social media influencers, have been abducted or detained without cause. The victims recall armed assailants in masks and unmarked vehicles seizing them, subjecting them to interrogation and physical violence.

Despite the risks, the activists remain undeterred in their efforts to advocate for change in Kenya.