by Inuka Kenya | Sep 18, 2025 | Press Statements, Stories
September 18, 2025 – Nakuru, Kenya
Three years into Kenya Kwanza’s regime, the country faces a constitutional and human rights crisis marked by state violence, corruption, and institutional capture. The promise of a people-centred “hustler” government has collapsed into authoritarian rule that undermines democracy and endangers citizens.
Despite initial gestures of reform, the regime has consistently defied court orders and created unconstitutional offices and bodies. The President branded judicial officers as “cartels” and openly declared that no courts of law would stand in his way. Courts halted the unconstitutional actions like the gazettement of seven IEBC commissioners, and demanded the disclosure of debt contracts, but the regime blatantly ignored these orders.
Parliament has been reduced to a clearing house of the State House, passing punitive laws such as the Affordable Housing Levy and regressive Finance Bills, despite public opposition.
Attempts to extend presidential terms and restrict freedom of assembly further entrench authoritarianism. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been converted into a political weapon. Corruption cases against William Ruto’s allies, including Henry Rotich, Wycliffe Oparanya, and Aisha Jumwa, have been dropped, while ordinary Kenyans have faced trumped-up charges for exercising their right to protest. At least 75 protesters face trumped-up terrorism charges and over 450 others, including minors, face serious criminal charges, which are false.
Since 2022, state security forces have unleashed deadly violence on citizens. At least 246 people have been killed by police under the Kenya Kwanza regime’s watch. However, we caution that the actual numbers are far higher, as the regime has deliberately concealed and tampered with evidence to mask the true scale of its abuses. In July 2023, 51 protesters were gunned down within five days during demonstrations against tax hikes, bringing the total fatalities caused by police force that year to 118.
In 2024, Gen Z-led protests left at least 63 people dead, 601 injured, 1,765 arbitrarily arrested, and 82 forcibly disappeared. By September 2025, 65 more deaths, 355 unlawful arrests, and three disappearances had already been documented. Human rights defenders and organizations continue to face reprisals designed to intimidate and curtail their agency, despite repeated commitments by the regime to uphold the rule of law and protect civic space for citizen participation in governance.
The Communications Authority of Kenya further aided censorship by disrupting live TV coverage of protests, while civil society and international donors were harassed for supporting the right to protest.
All these violations have made CIVICUS Monitor rate Kenya “repressed”, the second worst rating a country can receive, indicating severe restrictions to the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
The Kenya Kwanza regime has also ballooned public debt by Sh2.9 trillion — from Sh8.6 trillion in June 2022 to Sh11.8 trillion by June 2025. According to reports from the Controller of Budget, part of these funds has been squandered on lavish domestic and foreign travel. Without such wasteful borrowing, Kenya could comfortably finance education and health. Still, the development budget in all three years has consistently been less than 10 percent, despite the constitutional provisions for at least 30 percent.
Additionally, the regime has also been plagued by grand corruption scandals, including Sh6.6 billion, reportedly lost in edible oil imports, and Sh3.7 billion in irregular Malaria nets procurement at KEMSA, Sh3.5 billion through the fake fertilizer programme, and hundreds of millions lost through the National Youth Service and Kenya Pipeline Company. Consequently, Kenya’s global standing plummeted, with a Transparency International 2024 score of 32 out of 100, ranking 121st worldwide.
Despite this tragic situation, we are greatly encouraged by increased citizen vigilance, the valour of our young people in defence of the Constitution, and the successful court decisions. To restore constitutional order and safeguard Kenyans’ rights, members of the civil society organizations demand:
- Immediate respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and obedience to court orders.
- Parliament asserts its independence and withdrawal of retrogressive bills, including the Assembly and Demonstration Bill (2024), which seeks to curtail freedom of expression, assembly, and protest, and the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill of 2024, which wants to extend the presidential term from five to seven years.
- An end to ODPP’s role as a political weapon, and reinstatement of dropped graft cases.
- There must be financial, political, and operational independence of constitutional bodies to protect rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Protection of civic space, including free media and the right to protest, as well as independent investigations into all cases of killings, disappearances, and torture since September 2022, with accountability for perpetrators.
- The Office of the Auditor-General should conduct special audits on all initiatives by the Kenya Kwanza regime, such as the Affordable Housing, Hustler Fund, and health funds under the SHA. There must also be audits of tenders issued under these initiatives and beneficial owners of companies contracted. Additionally, the EACC must initiate independent investigations into repeated claims of conflict of interest and theft of funds in corruption scandals exposed under this regime.
Signed
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 27, 2025 | Press Statements, Stories
We, the Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations, in partnership with Inuka Kenya ni Sisi, strongly condemn the dangerous and reckless remarks made by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and national administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, who publicly instructed police to “shoot to kill” citizens accessing police stations if they happen to go close to them. This dangerous directive stands in direct opposition to the spirit and letter of our Constitution and violates the National Police Service’s own motto, “Utumishi kwa Wote” (Service to All). This motto is not a slogan to be printed on banners. It is a public promise. A commitment to serve every Kenyan with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Our observations during the 25th genz commemoration protest are as follows;
- Commendation for Police Restraint in Some Regions
We commend the professionalism and restraint demonstrated by some members of the National Police Service during the recent protests. In various parts of the country, law enforcement officers carried out their mandate under the Constitution, ensuring peaceful demonstrations proceeded without incidents of violence, vandalism, or destruction of property.
We particularly recognize the actions of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Ambrose Kyalo in Meru County-Imenti North, who walked side by side with protesters, assuring them of their safety and working to prevent any infiltration or escalation. In Mombasa County, efforts by politicians to disrupt protests by deploying hired goons were decisively thwarted by the police, safeguarding the integrity of peaceful demonstrations.
- Condemnation of Violence Against Police Officers
While we remain firm in condemning any form of police brutality and excessive use of force, we are equally disturbed by isolated incidents where protesters or criminal elements turned against police officers who were exercising restraint. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the spirit of peaceful civic engagement. We urge the public to uphold nonviolence and dignity even in the face of provocation.
- Alarming “Shoot-to-Kill” Directive
We express our grave concern over reported directives or statements by Cs Murkomen, calling for a “shoot-to-kill” approach in managing protests. Such rhetoric is reckless, unconstitutional, and endangers the lives of innocent citizens. The use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort and must always be preceded by lawful procedures and accountability mechanisms. We call for an immediate retraction of such statements and urge all leaders to respect the right to life as enshrined in the Constitution.
- Politically Sponsored Infiltration and Weaponization of Protests
We have witnessed incidents of politically sponsored goons who have infiltrated otherwise peaceful demonstrations to incite violence, loot businesses, and discredit the legitimacy of the Gen Z-led movement. This is a dangerous tactic that puts lives at risk and compromises public trust. We call on security agencies to investigate and hold accountable all those involved in such schemes.
- Clampdown on Media and Independent Reporting
We are deeply alarmed by attempts to intimidate, threaten, or shut down independent media houses and journalists covering the protests. A free press is an essential pillar of any democracy. Journalists must be allowed to operate without fear of harassment or censorship. We urge the government and all security agencies to respect press freedom and facilitate unhindered access to information.
The Gen Z protests are a wake-up call to the nation. They reflect a generation demanding dignity, justice, and genuine change. The government’s response must be rooted in dialogue, constitutionalism, and respect for human rights—not fear, violence, or repression.
We stand in solidarity with all Kenyans advocating for a better future and call upon all state and non-state actors to protect the civic space and uphold the rights enshrined in our Constitution.
Our Immediate Demands
- Immediate withdrawal and apology for the “shoot to kill” order.
- Halt the deployment of goons and respect the constitutional right to protest. 3. Institute national dialogue forums at county level with youth, civil society, and security agencies.
- Mandatory police training in human rights, trauma awareness, and crowd control. 5. Presidential assurance that protestors will be protected—not persecuted.
The solution lies not in bullets, but in listening. Not in denial, but in dialogue.
Issued by:
Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations & Inuka Kenya ni Sisi
by Inuka Kenya | May 29, 2025 | Press Statements, Stories
We, the Okoa Uchumi Campaign, categorically reject the weaponization of conditional apologies. Kenya is not grieving in speculation. We are grieving that over 60 youth have been shot dead, another approximately 89 citizens abducted and disappeared, journalists and critics surveilled and threatened, neighbours’ sovereignty trampled on in cross-border impunity, budgets looted, priorities distorted and lives stolen.
During his address, President Ruto offered generalized apologies: “To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologize”. This Statement did not acknowledge the government’s actions: instead, the apology was well-framed in broad, non-committal terms without reference to concrete issues or a clear commitment to corrective action.
There is no “if” when the evidence is written in the wounds of a nation. It is unacceptable to pretend to provide redress conditionally. Most recently, we are angered by the government’s failure to defend citizens who are tortured and subjected to gross and inhuman treatment. In a self-preserving move the President of Kenya and the Chair of East Africa Community rushed to offer an apology to Tanzania without demanding accountability. It’s pretentious to believe the same mouth that denied accountability can now deliver justice to grieving Kenyans.
Our Demands Are Clear. Our Constitution Is Clearer!
Under Article 1 of the Constitution, sovereignty belongs to the people. Article 10 requires that governance be anchored in transparency, accountability, and human dignity. Additionally, Article 43 anchors the rights of every Kenyan to access education, health, housing, and social protection.
On the other hand, Chapter Six states that leadership must be based on integrity and public trust while remaining accountable to the people of Kenya. The provisions are not aspirations: they are the law, which is equal to a creed in a religious setting. Therefore, a breach is a betrayal and must be met with serious actions of accountability and responsibility. Therefore, we ask:
- When will justice begin for the youth murdered during peaceful protests while rogue police officers continue to walk free, even as graves remain unmarked and questions unanswered?
- Where is the inquiry into enforced disappearances and abductions?
A Budget of Betrayal
This year’s budget is not a People’s Budget. It cuts funding for our children but balloons spending for the presidency. Clearly, we do not have a revenue problem, but an expenditure problem. As if that is not enough, the budget mocks the sovereignty of the people and offends intergenerational
equity by slashing education, child services, contraceptives, and public health, yet triples budgets for security, surveillance, and elite comfort. It offends our elderly and vulnerable, while feeding a bloated bureaucracy. It again presents a faulty deficit that will cause our Kenyan suppliers to go
without payment due to Ksh.706 billion worth of pending bills and debt repayments for interest and principal amount well above Ksh.1.9 Trillion.
Do we still need to discuss debt restructuring and default despite the government clearly lacking the ability to pay local suppliers, pensioners, and essential services? We are already in debt default. Isn’t this what the basics of insolvency are?
Finally, we want to state that we are tired of apologies served at prayer breakfasts; we do not swallow them. We are ashamed of expensive ceremonies that produce no justice, and ultimately, we are fed up with leaders fluent in the language of faith but deaf to the cries of the people.
Okoa Uchumi Calls For:
- The Government to proactively engage with regional counterparts to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of all Kenyans. Defend Citizens Across Borders: As Chair of the East African Community, the President must take a firm stance when Kenyan citizens face mistreatment in neighbouring countries.
- A national inquiry into extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and state violence, led by independent actors and victims’ families and immediate redress and reparations for victims of economic and political violence.
- Transparent audits of public debt and identification of odious loans as per the High Court ruling of December 2024, and a people-led renegotiation process.
- Criminal investigations into grand corruption cases in digital infrastructure, housing, health, land, and other captured sectors.
- Restoration of social sector budgets — health, education, child services, contraceptives, and social protection — as non-negotiable economic rights.
- Full implementation of Chapter Six and Article 10, starting with public vetting and lifestyle audits of those in office.
This campaign is not against Kenya. It is for Kenya — a Kenya where leadership is accountable, budgets serve people, and justice is not mumbled in prayers but written into policy, practice, and public life.
For more information email: mulayi.muni@tisa.or.ke
