Six individuals in Kenya allege they were tortured after being arrested during a memorial gathering for protesters killed in 2024. Rights groups report that the six were found abandoned by the roadside on Saturday morning, raising serious concerns about police conduct during the recent protests.
Amnesty International Kenya stated that Collins Ochieng, Muteti Mulinge, Michael Ngigi, Elisha Alam, Fredrick Ojiro, and Christine Walubengo went missing after their arrest on Thursday. One protester, Davis Lichuma, remains unaccounted for, prompting calls for urgent action from human rights organizations.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) reported that the six were discovered in different locations across Nairobi, all exhibiting signs of having been brutally assaulted while in police custody. They are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries, which they allege were inflicted during their detention.
Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that approximately 355 people were arrested nationwide during the protests marking the second anniversary of a 2024 incident in which 60 individuals were killed by security forces. Many of those arrested appeared in court on Friday, further highlighting the ongoing tensions between the government and demonstrators.
Amnesty Kenya has called for an immediate investigation into the allegations of torture and inhumane treatment by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The organization emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible for these abuses, stating that such allegations demand an independent and impartial inquiry.
Kenya has a documented history of police violence and enforced disappearances. A police watchdog reported that at least 127 people were killed during protests in June and July of 2024 and 2025, often with security forces acting with near-total impunity.
The recent events have reignited fears about the safety of protesters and the accountability of law enforcement agencies.
